Elgin man charged with growing marijuana

A marijuana growing operation was uncovered by police Monday after neighbors reported the smell, officials said.

Matthew J. Moraca, 35, of the 200 block of Perry Street, was charged after detectives found 241 marijuana plants in the basement of his house, according to police.

Police used a search warrant to enter the home after neighborhood complaints about the smell. Also recovered were 209 grams of processed marijuana and some ecstasy pills, police said.

The street value of the drugs is about $75,000, police said. Moraca appeared in bond court Tuesday on charges of production of marijuana, manufacturing of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance, all felonies, according to court documents.

Bail was set at $600,000, of which Moraca must pay 10 percent to be released before his next court date, scheduled for Feb. 15 in St. Charles.

Moraca has been fined previously for two misdemeanor marijuana offenses, one in 1996 and another in 2004.