The sheriff says a drug trafficker selling cocaine was arrested and found in possession of multiple guns along with almost $35,000 in cash at his Zion home.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Group (SIG) received information that Amado Palma-Yanes, 38, of Zion, was trafficking drugs.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said SIG detectives initiated an investigation and determined Palma-Yanes had an active arrest warrant for unlawful possession of a controlled substance dating back to 2012.
Detectives determined Palma-Yanes had several alias names he used to avoid apprehension on the warrant.
Members of SIG conducted a traffic stop on Palma-Yanes on Tuesday and took him into custody on the warrant.
Covelli said Palma-Yanes provided a false identification card with one of his alias names when he was stopped. He was also found to be in possession of cocaine.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Vukovich said 1.5 grams of cocaine was split into two baggies in Palma-Yanes’ wallet.
Detectives recovered three illegally possessed firearms from Palma-Yanes’ residence during a search pursuant to the investigation.
Vukovich said Palma-Yanes and his girlfriend gave consent for the search.
One of the firearms was personally manufactured without a serial number, Covelli said.
Vukovich said investigators also found two kilo wrappers with residue that field tested for cocaine, a digital scale with cocaine residue, $4,000 cash and a garbage bag full of plastic baggies with the corners cut off.
An additional $30,000 in cash was found bundled in the kitchen freezer, Vukovich said.
Covelli said detectives seized a safe at the home after a sheriff’s canine alerted on it for the presence of narcotics. SIG detectives are seeking a search warrant for the safe.
“Our Special Investigations Group has once again shown relentless dedication in pursuing those who endanger our community with illegal drugs and weapons. Their hard work led to the arrest of a suspected drug trafficker and the recovery of three illegally possessed firearms—three fewer guns that could harm the people of Lake County,” Sheriff John D. Idleburg said.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the ongoing efforts of SIG and our entire team in keeping our streets safer every day,” Idleburg said.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and approved charges against Palma-Yanes of three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and obstructing justice.
Additional charges are possible. The state’s attorney’s office filed a petition to detain Palma-Yanes while awaiting trial.
Lake County Judge Michael Nerheim ordered Palma-Yanes held in custody until the detention hearing, which he scheduled for Thursday afternoon.