Cops: Round Lake man growing superpot

A 56-year-old Round Lake man is in Lake County jail after police raided his home and seized nine pounds of "Kush," a highly potent cultivated form of cannabis, officials said Thursday.

Arthur Wittert, of 700 block of Overlook Circle, has been charged with unlawful possession with intent to deliver, unlawful possession of cannabis, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of a firearm without a valid firearm owners identification card, said Special Agent Rod Chesser of the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group.

Police were tipped to the existence of the cannabis in June, and began an investigation, Chesser said. Police obtained a search warrant Monday and entered the home, where the potent pot, which has a higher street value than typical cannabis, was discovered.

"Kush is a homegrown cannabis that is extremely potent," he said. "We've been seeing more and more of this. It's the most we've seen in one setting."

The drug was grown in specially designed rooms constructed for mass production, he said. The constructed areas included high-power lighting, automatic irrigation systems and heating to promote quick growth of the plant.

Chesser said three firearms were also found inside the residence.

Following the bust, police officers seized about $195,000 worth of assets that belonged to Wittert, Chesser said.

If found guilty of the charges, Wittert faces up to seven years in prison.