An anonymous tip last week led to a large marijuana bust in Hammond, the Indiana State Police said.

Juan Torres, 25, of Hammond, and Samuel Garcia, 20, and Santiago Barbosa, 48, both of Chicago, have been charged with dealing marijuana over 10 pounds, a Class C felony punishable by a term of two to eight years.

According to police, the tip prompted investigators to maintain a surveillance of a residence at 546 Detroit St. in Hammond. “Further investigation of the residence led to several traffic stops that were made by the Indiana State Police with the assistance of the Hammond Police Department. This resulted in the seizure of approximately 500 pounds of marijuana. A search warrant was then obtained for the above address and an additional 1,000 pounds of marijuana was recovered in the basement of the residence.”

Police estimated the total street value of the marijuana at $1.2 million.

Torres, Garcia, and Barbosa were transported to Lake County Jail in Crown Point.

Posted 1/25/2010