Hoffman Estates man nabbed in undercover sting

An undercover drug operation that began in January ended this week in the arrest of a 20-year-old Hoffman Estates man, authorities said.

Jaime Vargas, of the 1900 block of Kenilworth Circle, appeared before a Cook County judge Saturday morning to face a laundry list of charges related to three separate drug buys.

Vargas was charged with two counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, two counts of delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a church and two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, prosecutors said.

His bail was set his bail at $225,000, which means he needs $22,500 to get out of jail while his case is pending.

Earlier this year, Addison police arranged three undercover drug buys with Vargas that took place in Streamwood, prosecutors said. The first one was on Jan. 6 and involved 3.6 grams of cocaine for $170. The second one was Jan. 7 and involved 2.5 grams for $100. And the final buy took place Jan. 12 and involved 3.6 grams of cocaine for $120.

All three drug buys occurred within 1,000 feet of a church, prosecutors said.

Vargas is scheduled to appear in court April 5 in Rolling Meadows.