Two Sentenced In Adams Mills Marijuana Harvest

A man described as responsible for recruiting individuals to harvest and cultivate thousands of marijuana plants in Muskingum County has been sentenced to two years in prison. Jose Vilchiz-Garcia, sentenced Wednesday in Federal Court in Dayton, was one of 11 men arrested last September as authorities discovered the marijuana in the Adams Mills area. The Attorney General’s Office has said the operation was an example of Mexican Cartel-sponsored drug production. Authorities say the 28-year-old Vilchiz Garcia also directed the purchase of supplies for the operation. A final defendant, 27-year-old Daniel Zarco-Aguilar received a 20 month sentenced today. Both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to knowingly and intentionally manufacturing more than 1000 marijuana plants. A message was left with Vilchiz-Garcia’s attorney, while Zarco-Auguilar’s lawyer declined to comment.