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Arlington Heights Couple Using Pizzeria For Drug Trafficking?

An Arlington Heights couple who owns a pizzeria allegedly used the business to cover up their role in a drug trafficking operation to bring heroin from Mexico to the Chicago area, officials said today.

Maria Garza, 37, and Carmelo Rios, 35, along with four other people, were charged with criminal drug conspiracy, according to a statement released today by the Cook County state’s attorney’s office. They face 15 to 60 years in prison if convicted.

The couple, who opened DeLuca’s Pizzeria and Catering in Buffalo Grove this summer, allegedly arranged for large quantities of heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana to be distributed in the Chicago area as well as the East Coast. Warrants were executed Thursday at their home and their business.