Chicago police seize 8 tons of pot

CHICAGO, June 28 (UPI) -- Eight tons of seized marijuana went on display at a press conference in Chicago Thursday, a day after the City Council reduced penalties for possession.

Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said the seizure made Tuesday was the largest in the city in two decades and was part of an ongoing investigation into drug trafficking.

The green plastic bales of pot were shipped to Chicago from Mexico through Texas, McCarthy said. No arrests were associated with the seizure, which McCarthy valued at $40 million, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

"This represents a different level than what's happening with the gangs on the streets," McCarthy said.

The announcement came a day after the City Council voted Wednesday to allow police to ticket those caught with less than 15 grams of marijuana instead of arresting them on a misdemeanor charge.