Cops: South Elgin man mailed 82 pounds of pot to himself

A California man accused of mailing a substantial amount of marijuana to himself could be spending the new year in jail.

South Elgin police said Thursday they intercepted a significant shipment of marijuana weighing 82 pounds that has a street value of $470,000.

Walter T. Kwiatek, 69, of Cloverdale, Calif., has been charged in connection with the case, according to a police report.

Police, acting on a tip that detailed a suspicious container, executed a search warrant Wednesday at a South Elgin freight and delivery company in the 800 block of Commerce Drive. Police seized the marijuana and an undisclosed amount of cash.

According to court documents, Kwiatek shipped the marijuana to himself from Santa Rosa, Calif. Police were unavailable for further comment Thursday afternoon.

Kwiatek appeared in bond call Thursday morning, where he answered to charges of marijuana trafficking, manufacture or delivery of marijuana and possession of marijuana.

His bail was set at $500,000 and he needs to pay $50,000 to secure his release while the case is pending. Kwiatek's next court date is Jan. 13 at the Kane County Judicial Center.

If found guilty of one of the more serious charges, Kwiatek could spend the next six to 30 years in prison.