Police Raid Nets $750K In Cannabis, 8 Handguns
MELROSE PARK, Ill. (STMW) - A Sunday night drug raid on the West Side net officers more than $750,000 worth of cannabis and eight handguns — and landed a Melrose Park man behind bars.
Fernando Camarillo, 43, of the 2400 block of Landen is charged with one felony count of cannabis trafficking - over 5,000 grams, as well as a city ordinance violation for not having a business license and four other city ordinance weapons violations, a release from police News Affairs said.
On Monday, Camarillo was ordered held on $700 cash, Cook County State's Attorney's office spokesman Andy Conklin said. He will appear for a preliminary hearing Feb. 1.
The bust came after Harrison District Tactical officers learned a motor vehicle sales business was operating without a required business license.
That led to a search warrant being executed about 8:30 p.m. in the 5100 block of West Lake Street to investigate the validity of Carmarillo's business, the release said.
During a search, police recovered several boxes containing multiple bags of cannabis, totaling over 100 pounds with an estimated street value of more than $700,000, the release said. police also found four semi-automatic handguns.
Police then went to Camarillo's home where he was taken into custody.
A search of Camarillo's residence uncovered an additional four semi-automatic handguns and a shotgun, the release said. Police learned one of those guns were stolen, leading to additional charges against Camarillo.
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