A man from Overland Park has pleaded guilty to helping a drug trafficking organization distribute more than $16.9 million worth of marijuana and cocaine in Kansas.

Samuel Villeareal, III, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana and to maintain a residence in furtherance of drug trafficking.

In his plea, Villeareal admitted that he bought pound quantities of marijuana from co-defendants.

Los Rovell Dahda and others were operating a marijuana and cocaine distribution ring in Lawrence, Kansas. During the course of the conspiracy, the traffickers made more than $16.9 million dollars selling marijuana and cocaine.

In 2007, prosecutors say the conspirators shifted away from buying drugs from Mexico and Canada and began obtaining high grade marijuana from indoor and outdoor grow operations in California.

On May 16, 2011, investigators executed a search warrant at Villeareal’s residence at 816 Crestline Drive in Lawrence. They seized $11,340 cash, four cellular phones and 44 grams of marijuana. Villeareal’s residence was located within 1,000 feet of West Middle School. Investigators learned that Villeareal had removed 10 pounds of marijuana from the residence before the search warrant was served.

Sentencing will be set for a later date. Villeareal faces at least 10 years and not more than life in prison and a fine up to $10 million.

Villeareal was one of 43 defendants charged in a superseding indictment filed Oct. 31, 2011, in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan. An earlier indictment in the case had been announced July 12, 2012.