A narcotics seizure last week by Chicago Police in the Southwest Side's Scottsdale neighborhood netted approximately 1,900 pounds of marijuana with a street value of more than $5 million, and about 4,000 grams of cocaine, worth an estimated $500,000. Police also found more than $70,000 in cash from a vehicle their targeted suspect was driving.
The drugs and cash were displayed at a press conference at police headquarters on Sunday. The drug seizure stemmed from an investigation conducted by members of the Chicago Police Department’s Narcotics Section, according to a release from police News Affairs.
Here's how police said the bust went down: Acting on a tip, officers from the Narcotics Section set up both fixed and mobile surveillance on their target. They watched their suspect make a drug deal on the Near South Side. After the transaction took place, officers followed the target as he drove to a residence in the 7700 block of South Kilbourn Avenue.
Upon arrival at the location, officers approached him to conduct a field interview and observed, in plain view, a large quantity of cash in the car he was driving. A search of the vehicle yielded the recovery of over $70,000 in cash. Officers continued their investigation with the assistance of the Asset Forfeiture Unit, and a subsequent search of the residence led to the recovery of approximately 4,000 grams of cocaine, having an estimated street value of $500,000.
Also recovered was approximately 1,900 pounds of marijuana stored in numerous cardboard boxes inside the residence. The marijuana has an estimated street value of more than $5 million.
Francisco Gonzalez-Nieto, 22, of the 7700 block of South Kilbourn Avenue, was taken into custody and charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance and one count of possession of cannabis – more than 5,000 grams, a felony offense.
Court information for Gonzalez-Nieto was not available.
