Two charged in grow operation
By SARAH SUTSCHEK - ssutschek@nwherald.com
WOODSTOCK – Police said they uncovered a three-county pot-growing scheme in which two men allegedly paid others to sign leases for houses they subsequently outfitted with grow lights and other sophisticated equipment.
Phillip J. Koeckritz, 35, and Raymond T. Holland, 52, were behind a large-scale, indoor marijuana operation across McHenry, Lake and Cook counties, police said.
“These two men were getting people to sign leases on houses in order to run grows out of them, and the people who were renting the houses were getting paid,” said Sgt. John Koziol of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office.
The men 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 equipment used in several McHenry County grow houses.
So far, police have uncovered three local houses that they say were run by Koeckritz and Holland, but the men are believed to have been operating for years, Koziol said.
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 also was 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.
Previous charges, including unlawful possession with intent to deliver, were dropped against 26-year-old Gordon Schwanter, the sole person on the lease.
On 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 also was 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, Koziol said.
Rich Matkovich, who owns the McHenry house, said he considered selling after the rehab, but the house’s reputation preceded it.
“The first thing out of their mouth was, ‘This was the drug house,’ “ Matkovich said.
On top of a tough market, the house was devalued an extra $25,000, he said. He warned lessors to be very vigilant when renting, including a full credit report and Social Security number.
“Don’t be trusting,” he said.
Koeckritz was charged with unlawful production of marijuana plants, unlawful possession of marijuana plants, criminal damage to property, and three counts of conspiracy.
Holland is charged with unlawful production of marijuana plants and conspiring to produce the plants.
The most serious charge is a Class 1 felony, typically punishable by four to 15 years in prison.
Bond for both men was set at $100,000.
• Reporter Jillian Duchnowski contributed to this report.
Comments
Show / Hide Comments
Show / Hide Comments
