A Beach Park woman, who is a food truck owner, was arrested after detectives say she was caught selling cocaine near a school in Waukegan and trafficking drugs in the Lake County area.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Group (SIG) said Tuesday they have concluded an investigation that resulted in the arrest of Karla L. Rangel-Tirado, 30, of Beach Park.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said Rangel-Tirado was arrested for dealing drugs, including sales that occurred within 500 feet of a middle school.
SIG detectives learned earlier this year that Rangel-Tirado was actively trafficking narcotics in the area, Covelli said.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Vukovich said SIG learned in January that Rangel-Tirado was a cocaine trafficker in the Lake County area.
Detectives conducted multiple undercover controlled purchases of cocaine from Rangel-Tirado during the investigation, Covelli said.
Two of the transactions took place within 500 feet of a middle school in Waukegan.
Those transactions occurred in a restaurant parking lot near Washington Street and Butrick Street across from Robert Abbott Middle School.
Vukovich said the sales occurred in the spring during school hours when school was in session.
In February, Rangel-Tirado and an undercover officer agreed to meet for a cocaine sale transaction.
Rangel-Tirado used a “runner” to bring the drugs to the officer, Vukovich said.
She again agreed to meet for a cocaine sale with the undercover officer in March, Vukovich said.
Rangel-Tirado allegedly provided over 14 grams of cocaine in exchange for $400 in that deal.
SIG detectives conducted a traffic stop and took Rangel-Tirado into custody without incident on Monday.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and approved the charges of two counts of delivery of a controlled substance within 500 feet of a school, two counts of delivery of a controlled substance and two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
“Whether it’s a large-scale trafficking operation or an individual dealer targeting our communities, our Special Investigations Group is committed to disrupting the sale of dangerous drugs,” Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said.
“Selling cocaine near a school is especially egregious, and I commend our detectives for their diligent work to keep our neighborhoods safe,” Idleburg said.
Rangel-Tirado owns and manages Bella’s Kitchen, which is a food truck and catering business in Lake County.
Covelli said detectives did not witness her selling drugs out of the food truck during the investigation.
Rangel-Tirado remains held in the Lake County Jail after appearing in First Appearance Court on Tuesday morning.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain her pending trial and a detention hearing.