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Police Bust Up Cannabis Grow Operation In West Side Apartment

CHICAGO (STMW) - A West Loop man is behind bars after police uncovered a cannabis grow operation inside his apartment Tuesday night.

Ryan Vrane, 31, of the 300 block of South Jefferson Street is charged with one count of possessing more than 5,000 grams of cannabis and producing 50-200 cannabis plants, both felonies, a release from police said.

Police also found a quantity of cannabis drying in several bedrooms during the search warrant execution Tuesday night, the release said.

Bond for Vrane was set at $10,000 on Wednesday and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for March 22, according to the Cook County Sheriff's website.

The Chicago Police Narcotics Unit gained information that led to a search warrant being issued at the Jefferson address. Upon entry, they saw the plants and paraphernalia necessary to support a grow operation, the release said.

They also found several vials of suspect anabolic steroids and approximately $1,100 in cash, which was seized as part of the search warrant, the release said.

The total estimated street value of the cannabis recovered exceeded $260,000, the release said.

Vrane is also charged with two misdemeanors, possession of cannabis and possession of anabolic steroids.

© Sun-Times Media Wire Chicago Sun-Times 2011. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

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