United States Drug Enforcement Administration

MADISON, WI. - - John W. Vaudreuil, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Albano Xhixha, 22, Chicago, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 60 months in prison for conspiring to distribute marijuana. Xhixha pleaded guilty to this charge on September 8, 2011.

In May 2011, a confidential informant told law enforcement agents that the defendant was a large supplier of marijuana to the Madison area. On June 13, 2011, the confidential informant met with the defendant in downtown Madison in order to exchange $50,000 for a large quantity of marijuana. Specifically, law enforcement agents observed the defendant grab a duffle bag out of the trunk of his Mercedes Benz and then put the duffle bag in the confidential informant's car. Shortly thereafter, the defendant was arrested.

Officers seized the duffle bag and determined that it contained approximately 20 pounds of high grade marijuana. At the conclusion of the investigation, law enforcement agents concluded that Xhixha delivered approximately 800 pounds of marijuana to the Madison area. Agents estimated the street value of the marijuana at approximately $2 million.

The charges against Xhixha were the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration; Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation; and Dane County Narcotics and Gang Task Force. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Reinhard.

Parents and their children are encouraged to educate themselves about the dangers of legal pharmaceutical drugs and illegal drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com, www.JustThinkTwice.com and www.dea.gov.