A Melrose Park man is the first to be charged in a drug-related joint task force operation between the Kane and DuPage County sheriff’s offices.
Kane and DuPage County prosecutors allege that on Wednesday, Dec. 1, a Kane County sheriff’s deputy, assigned to the new DuKane Sheriff’s Task Force, stopped a vehicle that was eastbound on Interstate 88 near the Route 59 exit in DuPage County after observing multiple alleged traffic violations. A 44 year-old Melrose Park man, the alleged driver, was the vehicle’s lone occupant.
During the stop the deputy conducted a search of the vehicle and allegedly found more than 900 grams of cocaine, between 15 and 100 grams of fentanyl, and between 200 and 500 grams of marijuana. The deputy also allegedly found hidden compartments that had been added to the vehicle.
It is the fentanyl seized that most concerned authorities.
“While we will never know for sure,” said Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser, “it is quite possible that, considering the amount of fentanyl allegedly found in this case, multiple lives were saved.”
DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick expressed similar concerns.
“Most troubling about this arrest is the amount of deadly fentanyl that was destined to wreak more havoc on our community,” he observed. “Nationwide, our overdose rates are at an all-time high and what we took off the road Wednesday is what’s contributing to those numbers.”
Mosser and DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced Friday that the accused is charged with the offenses of:
- Unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver cocaine, Class X felony
- Unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver fentanyl, Class X felony
- Unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, Class 3 felony
- Installing a false compartment in a vehicle to transport a controlled substance, Class 4 felony
DuPage County Judge Daniel Guerin set the accused’s bail at $500,000, with 10 percent ($50,000) to apply for bond. If he posts bond, he must prove that the money is not the result of unlawful activity.
The accused’s next court appearance is set for 10 a.m. Jan. 5, 2022, in Courtroom 4006 at the DuPage County Judicial Center in Wheaton.
