Man wanted in forest preserve pot bust

Months after giant marijuana fields were discovered in a Barrington-area forest preserve, authorities are seeking the arrest of a Milwaukee man they believe had a hand in the pot plantation.

Cook County Judge Kay Marie Hanlon on Wednesday issued an arrest warrant with a $40,000 bond for 47-year-old Noel Zarco-Maldonado. No specific address was given.

Two other men, 23-year-olds Jose Verra and Bernardo Rangel, who have no known addresses, already have been charged in connection with the sprawling operation.

Prosecutors on Wednesday said fingerprints lifted from the scene and analyzed by a state police lab were matched to Zarco-Maldonado through a hit on a print database. He faces a charge of unlawful production of marijuana.

Authorities said there already is a warrant out for his arrest from Lake County on a drug charge; that apparently was issued earlier this fall.

The pot farm was discovered in June, tucked into the thickets of a dense Cook County forest preserve not far from Barrington mansions.

Authorities -- alerted to the farm after a college-age conservation intern stumbled upon it and called police -- found hordes of marijuana plants, some reaching up to 8 feet tall, in nearly a dozen fields at the Crabtree Nature Preserve.

Those tending the crop had set up a sophisticated operation, authorities said, with an elaborate camp and an irrigation system. Though only three men were spotted, officials have said there likely were many workers helping out with the hidden fields.

Both Rangel and Verra pleaded not guilty to charges alleging their involvement.

Rangel was released from jail after posting bond. Verra is being held on no bond, according to jail records.

Verra is due back in court in Rolling Meadows on Jan. 3. Rangel is due there on Jan. 2.