2 charged in Lake in the Hills pot bust

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The owner of Big Grow Hydroponics in Lake in the Hills and an employee both have been charged with unlawful possession and delivery of cannabis during a drug bust Monday, authorities said.

John E. Czaplicki, 22, of Newbury Court in Gurnee, was charged with unlawful delivery of cannabis and unlawful possession of cannabis, both felonies, following his arrest at the business on the 9000 block of Trinity Drive.

The business owner, Michael J. Singley, 40, of Rockton Road in Rockton, Ill., was charged with a felony count of unlawful possession of cannabis with the intent to deliver, along with misdemeanor counts of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of cannabis.

According to a news release issued by the McHenry County Sheriff's Department, deputies acted on a tip and served a search warrant at the hydroponics store Monday night.

During the search, officers — assisted by the Lake in the Hills Police Department — seized about 1,200 grams of cannabis, a digital scale, packaging materials, $1,615 in cash and a Toyota Scion tC.

The street value of the cannabis is estimated to be approximately $11,000, Undersheriff Andrew Zinke said in the news release.

Czaplicki is being held on $50,000 bail and is expected to return to court on Nov. 29.

Singley was released after posting 10 percent of his $20,000 bond and is due back in court on Nov. 28.