Police: Marijuana cultivation in West Dundee home a 'sophisticated' operation

Authorities are investigating a marijuana cultivation operation they say was being run out of the lower level of a West Dundee home.

Police found materials and equipment for growing marijuana while executing a search warrant about 2 p.m. Monday on the 1300 block of Chadwick Court, according to a West Dundee news release. Residents of the home already had left the property.

"This was a pretty sophisticated growing operation that was found there," Lt. Anthony Gorski said.

The Kane County state's attorney's office approved two felony charges - producing or possessing between 50 and 200 cannabis plants and obstructing justice - for a man who was renting the house, Gorski said. He is not yet in custody, but police are working to obtain an arrest warrant.

The investigation stems from the July 23 death of a second resident who was renting the house, Gorski said. The resident, whose identity has not been released, appeared to have overdosed on heroin, he said. Toxicology results are pending.

"That's what led us into the residence in the first place. That's why we were looking into this at all," Gorski said. "One drug activity a lot of times tends to turn into another drug activity."

After finding the cultivation operation, members of the police department's investigations and patrol operation secured the house and recovered the evidence.

Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact the police investigations division at (847) 551-3810 or stopcrime@wdundee.org. Tips can also be left anonymously at (847) 586-5600.