$5 million bail set in Kane County drug bust

Bail has been set at $5 million for a 32-year-old Aurora man who was caught with 18 pounds of marijuana, cocaine and $50,000 cash by Kane County sheriff's police, according to authorities and court records.

Juan C. Ortiz, of the 100 block of Trask Street, was charged Saturday with felony marijuana possession, possession of 15 to 100 grams of cocaine and possession of a fraudulent ID card, according to court records.

Sheriff's Lt. Pat Gengler said the department's special operations unit obtained permission to search Ortiz and his apartment during a drug investigation.

Gengler said authorities seized 18 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated street value of $330,000, along with 20 grams of cocaine worth an estimated $1,700. They also recovered $50,000 cash, he said.

Ortiz, who is next due in court Wednesday, faces 12 to 60 years in prison if convicted of the most severe charges.

If he posts $500,000 bond to be released from the Kane County jail while the charges are pending, he must prove the money comes from legitimate sources and not drugs or illegal activity, according to court records.

A message left with Loren Blumenfeld, Ortiz's defense attorney, was not immediately returned Monday.