BOONE CITY BUST YIELDS $250,000
IN COCAINE
Thursday, July 22, 2010— A grand jury has been convened today to indict two men on drug trafficking charges involving 834.5 grams of cocaine with an estimated street value of $250,000, Sheriff Tom Dart announced Thursday.
Jose Lugo, 31, of the 1700 block of N. Rose in Palatine was charged with one count of delivery of a controlled substance, cocaine, a Class X felony. Luis Mendoza, 33, of the 2200 block of Oakwood Dr. in Belvidere was also charged with one count of delivery of a controlled substance, cocaine.
The investigation began in May, when the Cook County Sheriff’s Office North Narcotics Team developed a lead on an individual in Palatine who was trafficking cocaine. Over the next couple of months, undercover officers set up a number of meetings with the suspect, Lugo, and buys were made. During the investigation, it was clear that the source of Lugo’s supply was another man, who was not willing to “front” significant quantities of cocaine to Lugo.
After gaining Lugo’s confidence, undercover officers were able to negotiate the purchase of 18 oz. of cocaine for the price of $17,000. A meeting was arranged for July 14th in a local shopping center parking lot in Belvidere, Boone County.
Lugo arrived with his supplier, Luis Mendoza, who exited the vehicle and went into a store. Lugo then entered the undercover vehicle for the drug transaction, and officers placed him under arrest. When Mendoza exited the store, he also was placed under arrest, and after police read him his rights, consented to a search of his residence. At Mendoza’s home, officers recovered additional cocaine, for a total of 834.5 grams.
Bond for both men has been set at $2,500,000 in the Circuit Court of Boone County.
Assisting Cook County Sheriff’s Police with the arrest were the Belvidere Police Department, Palatine Police Department, and the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.