Four plead not guilty in Addison heroin bust

An Elgin man and his two sons, along with an Addison man, all pleaded not guilty Monday to felony drug trafficking charges carrying a sentence of between 15 and 60 years in prison.

Luis Hernandez, 47, of the 200 block of Comstock Drive, Elgin, and his two sons, Jose Hernandez, 27, and Andres Hernandez, 24, both of the 10 block of Lynch Street, Elgin, each are charged with unlawful manufacture or delivery of more than seven kilograms of heroin.

Orlando Pacheco-Ramos, 28, of the 400 block of Stevens Road, Addison, also is charged with unlawful manufacture or delivery of more than seven kilograms of heroin and traffic offenses.

Luis Hernandez is being held on $700,000 bail. His sons' bail was set at $1 million each. All three would have to post 10 percent to be released while trial is pending.

Pacheco-Ramos' bail is set at $700,000, which must be paid in full.

Prosecutors said the charges stem from an investigation earlier this summer that led to the recovery of the heroin with a street value of more than $700,000.

According to court records, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations received a tip on July 23 related to an out-of-state currency seizure. The next day, agents and police officers put an Elgin residence related to the currency seizure under surveillance.

Later on July 24, the four men conducted a drug transaction in Addison and the truck Pacheco-Ramos was driving was pulled over for the traffic violation. The heroin was recovered during the traffic stop.

Luis, Andres and Jose Hernandez are all next due in court on Oct. 7 in courtroom 4000. Pacheco-Ramos' next scheduled court appearance is on Oct 31.