Wauconda restaurant employees, patrons accused of selling drugs to cops
Five suburban men face drug charges after a lengthy undercover investigation at a Wauconda restaurant.
The arrests were made Thursday after a raid at Las Adelitas, 461 W. Liberty St. Some of the arrests were made at the restaurant and some elsewhere, police said.
Wauconda police, the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group, the Lake County Gang Task Force, the McHenry County Sheriff's Police Narcotics Task Force, the DuPage Metropolitan Enforcement Group and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration were involved in the case.
Over six months, undercover police bought drugs from employees and patrons at the restaurant, Wauconda police said. Purchases were made inside and in the parking lot.
As part of the investigation, police purchased or seized an estimated 145 grams of cocaine and 46 grams of marijuana, authorities said.
"This is a significant bite out of cocaine sales in the area, not just Wauconda," Wauconda Police Chief David A. Wermes said.
The investigation began with a tip from a Wauconda Marine Unit officer and led to several undercover buys, Wermes said. Police realized the case had the potential to take a considerable amount of time, manpower and money, and other agencies were called into assist, he said.
Charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a church and other felonies are:
• Elias Aguilar, 45, of the 400 block of Kimball Avenue in Wauconda.
• Jose J. Navarro-Quiroz, 32, of the 400 block of Kimball Avenue in Wauconda.
• Alfonso Mora, 33, of the 400 block of Dunbar Road in Wauconda.
• Miguel Guzman-Carrera, 28, of the 200 block of East Shorewood Drive in Round Lake Beach.
• Erick E. Rojas-Tafolla, 27, of the 300 block of Highmoore Drive in Round Lake Park.
Charges are pending against a sixth man who also was arrested, police said.
A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent was part of one of the teams participating in the raid and will handle any immigration-related issues, police said.
Las Adelitas has been closed because of fire code violations, police said. Additionally, officials are seeking to revoke the restaurant's liquor and gambling licenses.