Elmhurst man charged in $1.76 million drug bust

A 33-year-old Elmhurst man faces felony charges after police found approximately 195 pounds of marijuana in his vehicle last week, police announced Thursday.

Anthony V. Occhipinti, of the 600 block of South Spring Road, was charged with unlawful delivery of cannabis and unlawful possession of cannabis after police found the drugs, valued at $1.76 million, in his vehicle on Nov. 23, authorities said.

A Lake in the Hills police officer observed a suspicious vehicle in the area of 3200 Chadwick Lane that night, and when the officer approached the vehicle the driver fled on foot, according to Lake in the Hills police.

Police located the man, but he denied that he had access to the vehicle and was released.

The Crystal Lake Police Department's K-9 unit was brought to the vehicle and sniffed out the drugs, leading to the discovery of 10 packaged bricks of marijuana weighing about 195 pounds, according to police.

Police obtained warrants for Occhipinti, who turned himself in to the McHenry County sheriff's office on Wednesday.

Occhipinti was released after posting $7,500, 10 percent of the $75,000 bond.