1,200 Pounds of Pot, $100K Worth of Cocaine Seized in Bust
Back of the Yards Auto Repair Shop suspected of being cover for drug trafficking operation
Monday, Mar 15, 2010 | Updated 7:15 PM CST
Chicago Police
A Southwest Side auto repair shop is suspected of being a cover for a large-scale drug trafficking operation, Chicago police said.
More than $8 million worth of narcotics, multiple handguns and vehicles and approximately $335,000 in cash was seized during the execution of a search warrant over the weekend in the Back of the Yards neighborhood.
During the search, more than 1,200 pounds of cannabis with a street value estimated at more than $8 million was recovered, police said in a news release.
Hector Marroquin, 49, of the 5500 block of South California Avenue, was arrested and charged with felony possession of cannabis.
The officers' investigation led them to search an auto repair shop owned by Marroquin.
Roughly 800 grams of cocaine with an estimated street value of $100,000, two semiautomatic handguns, three vehicles and cash totaling approximately $335,676 were from the two locations.
Marroquin appeared in bond court Monday where his bail was set at $500,000. If he posts bail, he must prove the funds were obtained from legal sources, according to the Cook County state's attorneys office.
Copyright SunTimes
Posted Monday, Mar 15, 2010 - 6:56 PM CST
