FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: October 6, 2011
CONTACT: Cheif Deputy Ken McCabe
In a concentrated effort that spanned over the month of September, the Kankakee County Major Crimes Task Force has aggressively pursued the outdoor production and cultivation of illegal cannabis sativa plants. Approximately five thousand plants at or near full maturity have been cut down in four different locations throughout Kankakee County. The largest operation was located in Pembroke Township where approximately twenty three hundrend plants were removed from an organized and cultivated plot about the size of a football field.
Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the Pembroke grow. Twenty-eight year old Noe Sanchez, who listed a Kankakee address, is being held on a one million dollar bond and twenty-two year old Manuel Gonzalez, who also listed a Kankakee address, is being held on a seven hundred and fifty thousand dollar bond. Both suspects are charged with Possession of a Firearm, Armed Violence, Manufacture of Cannabis Sativa Plants and Calculated Criminal Drug Conspiracy. Both suspects are being detained at the Jerome Combs Detention Center.
The total street value of the plants destroyed or being held for evidence is approximately seventeen million five hundred dollars.
This proactive approach targeting the cultivation of cannabis plants eliminates the drug before it hits the street. Cannabis is often considered a "gateway" drug that reduces the user's ability to function in society and is taken seriously by the law enforcement community.
The Kankakee County Major Crimes Task Force consists of agents from the Kankakee County Sheriff's Department, the Manteno Police Department, and the Kankakee County State's Attorney's Office.
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