Woodridge Drug Ring Leader Sentenced to 20 Years

A Woodridge man who led a drug ring with ties to California pleaded guilty to trafficking charges Thursday and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. 

Dorian Luzaj, 29, of the 6300 block of Winston Drive in Woodridge, pleaded guilty to cannabis trafficking, a Class X felony, during a hearing with Judge Robert Kleeman. 

Luzaj was the leader of a drug ring with ties to California that was responsible for the distribution of more than 600 pounds of cannabis per month to other cannabis dealers throughout the Chicago area, according to a news release from the DuPage County State's Attorney's office. 

On May 20, 2010, Luzaj and 11 other people were arrested on drug conspiracy charges. The charges were the result of a seven-month long investigation conducted by the State’s Attorney’s Office in conjunction with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the DuPage Metropolitan Enforcement Group and several local law enforcement agencies.  

Dubbed “Operation Chicago Haze,” the efforts resulted in 12 arrests and the seizure of approximately $1 million, 11 vehicles and five weapons.

“Today’s sentencing is the culmination of a great deal of outstanding work by law enforcement at all levels,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in the news release. “As I have said in the past, drug dealers do not recognize boundaries, and to be successful in our fight against drug dealers, it is critical that we all work together."

Luzaj, who has been in custody since his May 2010 arrest, will be required to serve half of his sentence before being eligible for parole.

From Darien or Woodridge? We've got you covered:

• Sign up for our daily email newsletter: Darien | Woodridge

• Like us on Facebook: Darien | Woodridge