Round Lake Park brothers deny drug charges

A pair of Round Lake Park brothers accused of having about $41,000 worth of drugs in their house pleaded not guilty to multiple charges Thursday in Lake County circuit court.

Francisco Garcia, 33, and Hector Garcia, 31, both face mandatory prison sentences of between nine and 45 years if convicted of all the charges against them.

Assistant State's Attorney Rod Drobinski said Round Lake Park police, acting on a tip, went to the Garcias' house in the 100 block of Washington Street about 4 p.m. on Jan. 26.

Hector Garcia gave them permission to search the house, police said, and officers discovered about 8 ounces of cocaine in a cardboard tube in a closet.

Police also found almost 3 ounces of marijuana, close to a half-ounce of hallucinogenic mushrooms and 15 hydrocone tablets, Drobinski said.

Officers also confiscated a digital scale and $2,019 in cash found in the house.

Drobinski said the brothers are charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana with the intent to deliver, possession of controlled substances and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Circuit Judge Victoria Rossetti scheduled a trial date for April 26 and ordered both men, who are being held on $100,000 bond, to appear in court again March 25.