A judge ordered a North Chicago man held on a $1 million bond after he allegedly was found with almost 1,500 fentanyl pills along with other drugs and a gun.
Demetrius Gaines, 30, of North Chicago, was charged with armed violence, armed habitual criminal, two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, four counts of possession of a controlled substance, two counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Gaines contacted a special agent, who was posing as a prospective drug buyer, on January 11, according to Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Francis DeRosa.
The agent bought four pills for $100. The pills later tested positive for fentanyl at the crime lab.
State records show Gaines was paroled from a state prison in March 2021 after serving a sentence for manufacturing/delivering cocaine out of Lake County.
Agents coordinated with Gaines’ parole officer last week to conduct a check on him.
Gaines was witnessed placing a black bag outside of his apartment, DeRosa said.
Officers took Gaines into custody and found 1,491 pills of fentanyl disguised as Percocet, which weighed over 160 grams.
DeRosa said they also found 15 grams of cocaine, of which one gram was already packaged for sale.
A 9mm handgun was located with a loaded magazine. Gaines is a convicted felon and is not allowed to possess any firearms.
Agents found over $1,600 cash in the apartment and on Gaines’ person.
Four phones were recovered and investigators found the previous messages between the undercover agent and Gaines on one of the phones, DeRosa said.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak ordered Gaines held on a $1 million bond.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 5.