HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 44-year-old Hutchinson man who entered a plea in a marijuana distribution case was sentenced to seven years in prison Friday by District Judge Tim Chambers.

Edmond Cantu entered the plea for being in possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, conspiracy to distribute marijuana and using a communications device to make a drug transaction.

The case itself started when Reno County authorities were notified by a DEA agent that a tan Cadillac Escalade carrying approximately 40 pounds of marijuana was coming to Hutchinson. It was expected to be delivered in the area of Applebee’s near K-61 and 17th.

Law enforcement officers were waiting and saw the vehicle arrive. A second vehicle arrived a short time later. Cantu apparently got into the Cadillac and tried to leave the parking lot. A traffic stop was made. The marijuana was found hidden in the door and back quarter panels of the vehicle. The total weight of the marijuana was right at 43 pounds. That happened in March of 2016.

The sentence will run consecutively to a federal sentence he’s currently serving.