2 arrested on I-88 near Aurora with uncut heroin, crack
State authorities say they arrested two Rock Island residents Monday on Interstate 88 with nearly an ounce of uncut heroin and a chunk of crack cocaine.
Courtney E. Martin, 34, and Robert R. Butler, 45, face up to 30 years in prison on charges of possession of heroin with intent to deliver after their arrest on I-88 near Route 31, according to Bill Backus, Illinois State Police master sergeant, and Kane County court records.
Backus, who is director of the North Central Narcotics Task Force, said authorities received a tip Martin and Butler were headed to the West Side of Chicago to buy heroin and set up surveillance.
Backus said authorities observed the purchase and had an Illinois State trooper pull over the vehicle on westbound I-88 at about 11:30 p.m., seizing 27 grams of unpackaged heroin, 11 grams of crack cocaine in a single chunk and $1,250.
Backus said heroin for personal use is normally sold in foil packets containing 1/10th of a gram of the drug.
"Twenty-seven grams of unpackaged heroin would indicate they were taking it back to cut it for sale," Backus said. "We do not believe there are any other arrests pending."
If sold in smaller portions, the heroin and crack cocaine have an estimated street value of between $3,500 and $4,600, Backus said.
Bail for Martin and Butler was set Tuesday at $500,000 each, meaning they must post $50,000 to be released while the charges are pending.
They each face four felony chares and are next due in court Oct. 10.
Residents also can submit anonymous tips at ncntf.org.