An investigation into suspicious cash transactions led to an indictment against eight people who earlier this month were charged with conspiring to distribute marijuana and structure cash transactions, federal prosecutors in Fresno, California said Monday. The defendants allegedly used so-called ''funnel accounts'' at several large banks to move drug proceeds from Florida and elsewhere to California. Those charged are: Brandon Thomas, 24, and Miguel Gonzalez, 31, both of Fresno; Chad Riffle, 22, and Bree Benson, 20, both of Citrus Springs, Florida; Aseel Al-Saber, 25, of Orange County, California; Peter Capodieci, 23, of Crystal River, Florida; Ashley Williams, 27, of Lake Charles, Louisiana; and Jeremy Murphy, 25, of Monroe, Ohio. Between July 2012 and October 2014, Thomas and Gonzalez sent parcels of marijuana -- labeled as clothing -- to accomplices in Florida, including Benson and Riffle, prosecutors said. After the pot was sold, the defendants or others allegedly deposited
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