Elgin arrests five in drug sweep

Elgin police said that a drug sweep conducted Thursday night netted five of 20 suspects who are wanted for sale and distribution of illegal drugs in the area.

The sweep, police said, is ongoing and will continue until all 20 are captured.

Arrested on charges of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance were: Dominic Griffin, 22, of Elgin, Holly Walker, 42, of Carpentersville, Lidia Cepero, 53, of Elgin, and Leroy Belling, 51, of Elgin. In those four cases, the substance was prescription pills.

The fifth suspect, Michael Hargrove, 52, of Elgin, was also charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance. In his case, the substance was cocaine.

Bond was set Friday morning at $30,000 for Griffin, $50,000 for Cepero and Hargrove, $100,000 for Belling and $150,000 for Walker.

Police said that on Thursday morning, several officers fanned out across the city to take into custody the subjects, who, in the process of a yearlong investigation, were identified as selling narcotics to undercover officers.

Of particular note in this investigation, police said, was the focus on the illegal sale of prescription pills, which has become a cause for concern nationwide.

The investigation required the coordinated effort of the Elgin Police Department working with the FBI and the Kane County state's attorney's office.