Police: Elgin man in synthetic pot case said he didn't sell drugs 'anymore'
An Elgin man accused of selling synthetic marijuana told police he didn't sell drugs "anymore" out of his Algonquin tobacco shop when officers searched his shop three years ago, an officer testified Monday.
"I don't sell drugs here anymore. I just have a little weed," Algonquin police officer Timothy Cooney testified that John G. Monteleone told officers when they arrived in late September 2013 at King Puff N Stuff, 1409 Commerce Drive, with a search warrant.
Monteleone, 47, is charged with possession of more than 200 grams of a controlled substance, a felony, and misdemeanor marijuana possession.
His bench trial began in Kane County last month and continued Monday.
Prosecutors say members of the North Central Narcotics Task Force, a unit of the state police, made undercover buys of synthetic marijuana at the store and seized 168, one-gram packages from the store and another 3,582, one-gram packages from the car of Monteleone's wife.
Cooney testified that Monteleone made the statement about not selling drugs "anymore" before police said what exactly they were searching for.
Monteleone has testified that his supplier told him the "herbal supplements" were legal. Monteleone also testified that he researched every ingredient in the supplements after this supplier raised questions about the legality of some products in early 2013.
Monteleone, who is free on bail, was arrested in September 2013.
Prosecutors have called forensic experts who testified that they tested 220 of the packets seized and they contained illegal chemical compounds found in synthetic marijuana.
Monteleone's is next due in court on Oct. 25 for what should be the conclusion of his bench trial before Judge Linda Abrahamson.
If convicted, he faces a minimum of 12 years in prison.