A Buffalo Grove man was arrested following a local and federal investigation after authorities say he was acquiring large amounts of drugs for distribution.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Group (SIG) said they concluded a joint investigation with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) that led to the arrest of Zans Batjuks, 33, of Buffalo Grove.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said Batjuks was selling MDMA, also known as ecstasy, and other drugs.
SIG began their investigation after they received information that Batjuks was acquiring large amounts of MDMA for distribution, Covelli said.
Detectives initiated an undercover operation and obtained a search warrant for Batjuks’ home in the 400 block of Castlewood Lane in Buffalo Grove following the operation.
Covelli said members of SIG and HSI, assisted by the Buffalo Grove Police Department, conducted the search warrant at Batjuks’ home on Wednesday.
Detectives located and seized over 315 grams of MDMA, 15 ecstasy pills, cocaine and over 5,200 grams of cannabis, Covelli said.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved two counts of manufacturing ecstasy, two counts of unlawful possession of ecstasy, manufacturing or delivery of cannabis and unlawful possession of cannabis. The most serious charges are Class X felonies, which carry up to 30 years in prison.
“Our Special Investigations Group has once again collaborated with our local and federal partners to identify a person selling dangerous drugs in our community. I am proud of their continued work and their continued success removing deadly drugs from our community,” Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said.
The members of SIG, which is a High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area funded task force, include the Highland Park Police Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Park City Police Department, Round Lake Beach Police Department, Round Lake Park Police Department, Round Lake Police Department, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Wauconda Police Department, Waukegan Police Department, Winthrop Harbor Police Department and Zion Police Department.
Batjuks remains held in the Lake County Jail pending a First Appearance Court hearing on Thursday morning.