An eight-month investigation into illegal gambling and marijuana distribution across the state has multiple connections to Cranston.

Twenty people have been charged as a result of the multi-agency effort, Rhode Island State Police announced last week. The operation resulted in the seizure of 330 pounds of marijuana and more than $311,000 in cash.

According to state police, the investigation began after law enforcement officials received information that 45-year-old Thomas J. Pilderian of 55 Pine Ridge Road in Cranston – the owner of the Cozy Grill restaurant on Warwick Avenue in Warwick – was allegedly running an illegal bookmaking operation out of the business. State police say the investigation confirmed that tip, and led to the identification of multiple co-conspirators.

A second bookmaking operation was also identified, according to state police. It is alleged to have been run by James J. Petrella, 31, of 26 Beach Row in Narragansett – co-owner of the Portside restaurant in that town – and Timothy J. Moretti, 46, of 1710 Phenix Ave. in Cranston. Multiple alleged co-conspirators were also identified by police in connection with the Narragansett-based operation.

“Both alleged illegal gambling operations utilized the internet to perform most of the betting and record keeping function,” according to a press release from state police. “Pilderian used the betcapri.com website; Petrella and Moretti used the VIPbettors.com website. Both web sites appear to be based in Costa Rica. Criminal charges against the co-conspirators relate, in part, to the collection of debts owed to the alleged criminal gambling operations for which the co-conspirators received compensation.”

Police executed search warrants at multiple locations on April 12, including the Cozy Grill, Portside, GiGi’s Pizzeria on Main Ave. in Warwick, and the homes of Pilderian, Petrella, and Moretti.

Pilderian, Petrella, and Moretti are each charged with counts of bookmaking, organized criminal gambling, and conspiracy. Moretti additional faces a probation violation in connection with a prior drug-related conviction.

Mark B. Battista, 39, of 400 Narragansett Parkway in Warwick, was identified as one of the alleged co-conspirators in the Cozy Grill operation. He is charged with bookmaking, organized criminal gambling, conspiracy, and three counts of possession of a controlled substance.

Charged with organized criminal gambling and conspiracy are Mark V. Marinaro, 43, of 11 Winward Circle in Warick; Jason M. Pilderian, 39, of 25 Talbut Road in Scituate; Joseph R. Brunelle, 38, of 12 Palm St. in North Providence; Eric Glaude, 40, of 35 Marigold Circle in North Providence; Dustin R. Sears, 40 of 40 Braeburn Circle in Cranston; David J. Disano, 42, of 83 West Hill Drive in Cranston; Jonny E. Lubo, 44, of 111 Wunnegin Circle in Warwick; Sean W. Furney, 24, of 48 Roosevelt St. in Warwick; Brian K. Cipolla, 48, of 178 Council Rock Road in Cranston; Lewis Silveira, 50, of 154 North St. in Warwick; Christopher R. Costantino, 24, of 10 Cedar Pond Drive in Warwick; Koseph A. Capellia, 38, of 58 Firglade Drive in Cranston; and Louis Scaglione Jr., 24, of 34 Bridgham Farm Road in East Providence.

John Depietro, 41, of 39 Prospect Ave. in South Kingstown, is charged with possession of one to five kilos of marijuana with intent to deliver; possession of one to five kilos of marijuana; and possession of Adderall with intent to deliver.

According to state police, the investigation also produced information that a Cranston man was “trafficking large quantities of marijuana.” Surveillance conducted over several weeks is said to have confirmed that tip and led police to a storage locker at 604 Park Ave. in Cranston.

A search warrant for that location was executed on April 12, according to police, resulting in the arrest of two Cranston residents.

Zhen L. Wu, 32, and Shu Y. Ruan, 40, both of 125 Pleasant St., are each charged with four counts of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, and possession of a controlled substance.

Police said the April 12 searches resulted in the seizure of gambling ledgers, $311,596 in cash, 330 pounds of marijuana, a 2015 Ford F-150 pickup truck, a 2015 Toyota Sienna minivan, a 2010 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, 10 computers, 11 cell phones, six digital storage devices, two scales, and two money-counting machines.

The state police Intelligence Unit and attorney general’s office led the investigation. Other participating agencies were the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, ATF, and police departments in Cranston, Warwick, Johnston, Providence, Scituate, North Providence, Narragansett, East Providence, West Warwick, Lincoln, Central Falls, East Greenwich, Woonsocket, and Newport.