DENVER (AP) – A drug ring operating in six states, including New Hampshire, laundered at least $5 million in drug proceeds through a liquor store, real estate and luxury cars, federal prosecutors said.

Alleged ring members were accused of selling methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana, wiring the proceeds by Western Union, and using the money to buy two houses, three cars, an SUV and a truck.

Some of the defendants bought a liquor store in the south Denver suburb of Littleton to launder the drug proceeds, the indictment said.

The ring operated in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, and New Hampshire, the indictment said.

The indictment accuses 15 people of conspiracy to possess methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana with intent to distribute. Three of them also face money-laundering charges, and two face an additional charge of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

The conspiracy and possession charges each carry penalties of 10 years to life in prison and up to $4 million in fines. Money laundering carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000.

U.S. attorney’s spokesman Jeff Dorschner said Wednesday he could not say whether any of the suspects had been arrested.

According to the indictment, two of the alleged ring members bought houses in the east Denver suburb of Aurora for $211,500 and $183,000 to launder drug proceeds.

The two are also accused of depositing thousands of dollars in drug proceeds in bank accounts registered to the liquor store and a pressure-washing business, and buying a 1997 Jaguar convertible, a 2002 Mercedes Benz convertible, a 2003 Mustang convertible, a 2000 Cadillac Escalade and a 1998 Ford truck, also to launder drug proceeds.

AP-ES-06-17-04 0217EDT