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Drbio · 06-24-2003, 10:52 PM

Tuesday, June 24

Conspiracy to distribute marijuana among charges

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ESPN.com news services

PHOENIX -- The Arizona Cardinals released backup fullback Dennis McKinley on Tuesday, hours after he was arrested by Phoenix police and charged with being the head of a drug trafficking ring.

McKinley

McKinley and three other suspects were taken into custody Tuesday morning after members of the Phoenix police department's drug enforcement bureau executed five search warrants throughout the city.

McKinley, 26, faces charges that include conspiracy to distribute marijuana, a spokeswoman for the Arizona Attorney General's office said.

The 10-month investigation already has netted more than 1,500 pounds of marijuana, two tractor-trailers, nine vehicles, 11 guns and more than $400,000 in cash, not to mention 34 indictments and 27 search warrants. Other arrests are expected, authorities said.

"We are surprised and disappointed to learn of the circumstances relating to Dennis McKinley's arrest," Cardinals vice president and general counsel Michael Bidwill said. "Dennis McKinley has engaged in personal conduct that adversely reflects on our organization. As members of this community, the Cardinals have zero tolerance toward this type of conduct. Consequently, we have notified his agent his contract has been terminated."

Bidwill is a former federal prosecutor, according to the team's Web site, www.azcardinals.com.

Police say McKinley rented a warehouse where marijuana shipments from Mexico were stored.

The four men were accused of buying marijuana that had been smuggled in from Mexico, repackaging it in Phoenix and then transporting it via tractor-trailer to major cities in the United States, including New York, Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland.

"We think we've got the conspiracy taken care of," Assistant Attorney General Don Conrad said.

McKinley, who was in jail Tuesday and couldn't be reached for comment, has appeared in 58 games for the Cardinals over four seasons. He primarily has played on special teams and as a reserve fullback since the Cardinals drafted him in 1999. He was a sixth-round pick out of Mississippi State.

06-24-2003, 10:52 PM	#1
Drbio Banned Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Nowhere Posts: 40,924	Professional Sports Doofus of the Week Tuesday, June 24 Conspiracy to distribute marijuana among charges -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ESPN.com news services PHOENIX -- The Arizona Cardinals released backup fullback Dennis McKinley on Tuesday, hours after he was arrested by Phoenix police and charged with being the head of a drug trafficking ring. McKinley McKinley and three other suspects were taken into custody Tuesday morning after members of the Phoenix police department's drug enforcement bureau executed five search warrants throughout the city. McKinley, 26, faces charges that include conspiracy to distribute marijuana, a spokeswoman for the Arizona Attorney General's office said. The 10-month investigation already has netted more than 1,500 pounds of marijuana, two tractor-trailers, nine vehicles, 11 guns and more than $400,000 in cash, not to mention 34 indictments and 27 search warrants. Other arrests are expected, authorities said. "We are surprised and disappointed to learn of the circumstances relating to Dennis McKinley's arrest," Cardinals vice president and general counsel Michael Bidwill said. "Dennis McKinley has engaged in personal conduct that adversely reflects on our organization. As members of this community, the Cardinals have zero tolerance toward this type of conduct. Consequently, we have notified his agent his contract has been terminated." Bidwill is a former federal prosecutor, according to the team's Web site, www.azcardinals.com. Police say McKinley rented a warehouse where marijuana shipments from Mexico were stored. The four men were accused of buying marijuana that had been smuggled in from Mexico, repackaging it in Phoenix and then transporting it via tractor-trailer to major cities in the United States, including New York, Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland. "We think we've got the conspiracy taken care of," Assistant Attorney General Don Conrad said. McKinley, who was in jail Tuesday and couldn't be reached for comment, has appeared in 58 games for the Cardinals over four seasons. He primarily has played on special teams and as a reserve fullback since the Cardinals drafted him in 1999. He was a sixth-round pick out of Mississippi State.