Lake County jail search turns up empty-handed

A surprise inspection at the Lake County jail Thursday morning didn’t turn up any contraband, officials said.

Despite the participation of police officers and search dogs from more than a dozen suburban departments, no drugs, weapons or other forbidden objects were found during the two-hour search.

“It is a testament to our officers that no contraband was located,” Sheriff Mark Curran said in a news release after the search concluded. “They are doing an exceptional job keeping our jail free of illegal drugs and weapons.”

None of the county’s 638 inmates knew the search was happening until the dogs and their handlers entered the jail’s pods. Reporters and photographers had been invited to attend and observe the systematic searches.

Inmates were ordered out of their cells and into common areas during the search. After each cell was cleared, the inmates returned to their bunks.

The sheriff’s office, which oversees the jail, last searched the facility with dogs about a year ago, Curran told reporters before the sweep began. This was the first exercise to involve other departments. Police officers and dogs from Buffalo Grove, Wheeling, Elgin, Gurnee, the McHenry County sheriff’s office and other departments participated.

Outside agencies were brought in to illustrate “the teamwork of law enforcement,” Curran said.

Drugs have never been found in any of the sweeps held in recent years, said Lt. Nick Kalfas, leader of the sheriff’s special Corrections Response Team. Some homemade weapons and other contraband have been found, he said. but nothing serious.