Aurora traffic stop nets 13.5 pounds of marijuana

A 28-year-old Aurora man was arrested Thursday after police pulled him over for an expired registration and found about 13.5 pounds of marijuana in his sport utility vehicle, Aurora police said.

Cesar A. Gandarilla, of the 400 block of West New York Street, faces six to 30 years in prison if convicted on charges of possession and delivery of more than 5,000 grams of marijuana, according to Kane County court records.

Aurora police spokesman Dan Ferrelli said Gandarilla was pulled over at about 3:40 p.m. at Prairie Street and South Fordham Avenue on the city's west side.

The officer smelled "fresh cannabis" coming from inside of Gandarilla's SUV and eventually found the marijuana in the back seat, Ferrelli said.

While in the process of being arrested, Gandarilla tried to run from the officer but made it about only five steps before the officer pulled him to the ground, Ferrelli said. The officer was not injured, and Gandarilla was treated at the scene by paramedics.

Ferrelli could not immediately specify the marijuana's estimated street value.

Gandarilla's bail was set at $100,000 Friday. He also is charged with resisting arrest, a misdemeanor. His next court date is March 27.

A message left with his defense attorney, Fred Morelli, was not immediately returned.

According to county court records, Gandarilla has seven previous marijuana-related arrests dating back to 2002. Two arrests from October 2007 and October 2009 resulted in felony charges. Gandarilla received probation for the 2007 arrest and two years in prison and $2,800 in fines and court costs from the 2009 arrest, records show.

He also served prison time for felony aggravated battery for a July 2010 arrest in Aurora, records show.