Two men arrested in large-scale indoor pot operation
WOODSTOCK – Two men have been charged after police said they were operating a large-scale, indoor marijuana operation across McHenry, Lake and Cook counties.
Phillip J. Koeckritz and Raymond T. Holland were arrested at 223 N. Bothwell St. in Palatine last week, where police found grow lights, lamps, ballasts, fans, tarps, plastic bags and other plumbing and electrical equipment matching that used in three McHenry County grow houses.
The first grow house at 6712 Homestead Drive in McHenry was found in January when a neighbor called police concerned about the well-being of the resident, who had not been seen for two days.
About 1,500 plants with an estimated street value of $1.5 million were uncovered.
An elaborate electrical system had been added, including two new fuse boxes to help provide enough light for the plants. A ventilation system was also installed throughout the house and holes were cut in the floor to install fans.
The owner, who lives in Mississippi and had rented the house out using a Realtor, said rehabbing the house cost about $60,000.
Oct. 20, a search warrant was issued for 10315 Arabian Trail in Woodstock. Investigators from the McHenry County Sheriff's Police Narcotics Unit and the Drug Enforcement Agency found evidence of a dismantled indoor grow operation, including several plants, residual amounts of pot, and thousands of pounds of a growing medium.
Police estimate that the house, which had about $100,000 worth of damage, had contained between 3,500 and 5,000 plants.
The same evening, a warrant was also issued for 4508 Elmleaf Drive in Johnsburg, where police found 63 grams of marijuana, scales, and drug paraphernalia. Items, such as the same growing medium, lights, and ballasts, were found that matched the Woodstock and McHenry houses.
The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected to be made.
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