Connecticut man convicted of drug conspiracy in Iowa

DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Connecticut man was convicted in federal court Friday for his role in a conspiracy to possess and distribute 55 pounds of high-grade marijuana.

This conviction resulted from an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), in cooperation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Connecticut Department of Public Safety, and the police departments of Washington, Iowa and Danbury, Conn.

A jury found Michael G. Efthimiatos, 35, of Danbury, Conn., guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana. Efthimiatos had previously been charged with his brother, Angelo Efthimiatos, 44, also of Danbury. The jury concluded that both conspired to distribute narcotics.

Angelo Efthimiatos was arrested Feb. 19, 2013, in Washington, Iowa, after he landed a small airplane at the Washington, Iowa, Municipal Airport. The airplane contained 55 pounds of high-grade marijuana.

Angelo Efthimiatos pleaded guilty Dec. 20 to his role in a conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 50 pounds of marijuana, and a separate charge of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

As a result of this investigation, authorities seized a 2002 Piper fixed-wing aircraft, a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, $2,837 in U.S. currency, and about $1,000 worth of prepaid cash cards.

The defendants’ sentencing hearings are scheduled for May 16. Each defendant faces a maximum of four years in federal prison, without parole, for his role in the conspiracy.