Berwyn Police Blotter
Pot-plant nursery yields millions in narcotics, guns
November 4, 2009
Marijuana plants seized in big Berwyn drug raid
Large, flourishing cannabis plants – 355 of them – were recovered by Berwyn Police and Cook County narcotics agents from three rooms in a house in the 2200 block of Ridgeland. The plants, when harvested and sold on the street, were estimated to be worth about $290,000. Also found in the house were cocaine worth $2.1 million; $61,000 worth of heroin, half a million dollars worth of MDMA(“Ecstasy”) and $660,000 worth of Vicodin. The setup was described by Berwyn tactical coordinator, Detective Roger Montoro, as a “pot factory”.
Charged with possession and possession with intent to deliver all of the above was 26-year-old Richard Medina, 2232 Ridgeland.
Berwyn police chief William Kushner called the pot-growing operation one of the most elaborate ever seen in Cook County. The multi-flat residence was equipped with many large portable air-conditioning units, fans and extra ductwork designed to control the climate for optimum growth and prevent the strong scent of fresh marijuana from being detected outside the house. Police recovered a calendar on which someone had marked precise cannabis plant-care instructions; dates were marked for fertilization and transplantation of individual plants.
Guns of various calibers—including 3 Uzis—were also recovered, including two with obliterated serial numbers. Police said they had been aware of the house since June and conducted the investigation the resulted in the bust over a period of about a week.
Deputy Berwyn police chief Joseph Drury credited the success of the operation to Berwyn’s newly reorganized tactical unit, also praising the assistance of Cook County narcotics officers whose deputy chief, Kevin Ruel, said provide “fresh faces” for similar undercover work all over the county. Drury noted now-expanded tactical unit had executed 12 search warrants and recovered 30 guns just since August.
Multi-tasking
According to Montoro, the search warrant for the bust was brought before a judge on the evening of November 2nd. That evening, Montoro, Kushner, Drury and several other police commanders held an all-Berwyn Neighborhood Watch meeting and gave a presentation on this type of investigation, even as they stayed in telephone touch with undercover officers and prepared to move in on the drug house.
Left to right: Det. Roger Montoro, Police Chief William Kushner, Berwyn Mayor Robert Lovero, Cook County Deputy Chief Kevin Ruel, and Berwyn Deputy Chief Joseph Drury, overlooking tables filled with illegal narcotics, weapons and drug packaging.
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