DRUGS: Southside Drug Seizures Turn Up Marijuana and Cocaine

Members of the Chicago Police Department’s Narcotics Section made two separate narcotics seizures on the south side yesterday.  Two men face felony drug possession charges in the incidents, which yielded a combined seizure of cocaine and cannabis with an estimated street value of over one million dollars.

In one of yesterday’s seizures, police had information that a particular location, a garage in the 3600 block of South Archer Avenue, was being utilized to conduct narcotics transactions.  During the course of their investigation, narcotics officers and a police canine searched the location and eventually recovered approximately 114 pounds of marijuana packed into several large duffel bags.  Saul Alonzo, 21, of Pasco, Washington was charged with one count of Cannabis Trafficking, a Class X felony.

Narcotics officers conducting a separate investigation yesterday seized 2 kilograms of cocaine from a vehicle in the 4400 block of South Whipple.  Police had information that the subject had a large amount of cocaine in his possession.  At approximately 7:30 p.m., officers observed the subject in his vehicle, stopped the vehicle and discovered the 2 kilograms of cocaine inside the vehicle.  Police arrested and charged Lorenzo Castillo, 52, of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, with one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance – Over 900 Grams Cocaine, a Class 1 Felony.

Both Alonzo and Castillo were scheduled to appear at 26th & California on today’s date.