37-year-old Melissa “Missy” Giove, former mountain biking world champion, and Eric Canori, 30, were arrested on federal drug charges in upstate New York after authorities seized more than 400 pounds of marijuana.
Giove and Canori were charged with conspiracy to possess and distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana when authorities seized over 400 pounds of pot from a truck Giove was driving and from Canori’s home outside Saratoga Springs, north of Albany.
According to the DEA, Illinois police pulled over a woman driving a truck and trailer loaded with about 220 pounds of marijuana last weekend, and learned of Giove and Canori’s plans. Authorities completed the delivery, where Giove picked up the vehicle and trailer, and then drove north and followed Canori to his home, where more than 150 pounds of pot and more than $1 million in cash were found stashed in a closet and the basement.
Giove, one of mountain biking’s first mainstream female stars was nicknamed “The Missile” for her agressive riding style. She was the downhill world champion in 1994 and won World Cup season titles in ’97 and ’98, and national titles from 1999-2001. She retired from downhill racing in 2003.
More photos and vidoe of Melissa Giove below.
thumbnail photos: Silvia Otte Photography