Lake County drug sweep nets 127 arrests

Police officials said 127 people linked to selling drugs have been arrested in Lake County following the completion of Operation Street Sweep.

Jeffrey Padilla, deputy director of the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group, said the sweep was held March 21 to March 25, and resulted in the confiscation of 150 grams of crack cocaine, 100 grams of powder cocaine, 5,000 grams of cannabis, 56 cannabis plants and 15 unregistered firearms.

Padilla said the sweep was conducted by Lake County MEG, with assistance from the Illinois State Police, the Lake County Gang Crime Task Force, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the Illinois Department of Corrections and the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.

“We really wanted to kick off the summer with a significant operation to show the drug dealers and gang members that we will be working in every neighborhood and every town in the county,” Padilla said Monday.

Numerous enforcement operations were conducted around the clock during the week, he said, adding that nine search warrants were issued, 50 parolee compliance checks were performed, and $45,000 in cash was seized.

Of the 127 arrests, 50 involved parole violations, officials said.

“The busiest night was Thursday when we picked up a significant amount of drugs in Waukegan and Highland Park, along with $14,000 in drug-related cash,” Padilla said. “This hopefully will show that MEG remains committed to the elimination of illegal drugs in our communities.”