News Release [print friendly page]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2007
Contact: Joanna Zoltay
Number: 312-886-2597

DEA Task Force Seizes Indoor Cannabis Operation, Firearms and $25k
One defendant arrested in Rockford

APR 18 -- (Rockford, IL) – Special Agent in Charge of the U. S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Chicago Field Division, Gary G. Olenkiewicz, announced that on Monday, April 17, 2007, the Rockford Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force, comprised of the DEA, Belvidere Police Department, Boone County Sheriff’s Department, Dekalb Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), conducted a search warrant at 4010 Highcrest Road, Rockford, Illinois and seized an illegal indoor marijuana grow operation.

The DEA Task Force seized a fully operational indoor cannabis grow operation, 67 mature cannabis plants, as well as approximately 400 grams of harvested cannabis buds. Agents also seized a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun, an AK-47 assault rifle, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, approximately $25,000.00 United States Currency, two vehicles and a motorcycle.

“There is a trend of creating high potency marijuana through the use of indoor grows all across the United States,” stated Gary G. Olenkiewicz, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Division Drug Enforcement Administration which covers the Rockford area. “The higher THC content in the marijuana ensures growers a higher selling price. DEA will continue working with our partners in the Rockford Task Force to investigate indoor grow cases and make sure these drug traffickers don’t profit from their illegal product.”

Arrested Nicholas M. Castronovo, 27 years old of, 4010 Highcrest Road, Rockford, Illinois on State charges of: Unlawful Possession of More Than 50 Cannabis Sativa Plants, Unlawful Possession With the Intent to Deliver Between 30-500 Grams of Cannabis, and Unlawful Delivery of Cannabis Between 30-500 Grams of Cannabis Within 1000 Feet of a School. Castronovo was detained in the Winnebago County Jail on Class 2 Felony Charges. The sentencing for a Class 2 Felony is 3-7 years and a fine of up to $10,000.00.

The DEA Task Force investigates large scale drug trafficking organizations having a regional, national and international impact. The DEA Task Force encourages persons with information of large scale drug traffickers to call the Rockford DEA Office at (815) 987-4494.