Palatine woman charged in drug sale

A Cook County judge set bond at $80,000 Monday for a 31-year-old Palatine woman charged with possession of cannabis with intent to distribute, a Class X felony that carries a possible sentence of six to 30 years upon conviction.

Palatine police executed a search warrant at the home of Melissa Ficks, of the 400 block of N. Wilke Road, on March 13, Cook County assistant state's attorney Adam Klugman said.

The defendant opened two safes located in a bedroom closet after a canine unit indicated one of them contained drugs, Klugman said.

Officers recovered $20,000 in currency and sealed bags containing 22,597 grams (nearly 50 lbs) of a substance that field-tested positive for cannabis, Klugman said.

Citing an ongoing investigation, Palatine police declined to comment on what prompted the search of Ficks' home.

Ficks, who has no criminal background, next appears in court on April 13.