Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Group (SIG) achieved a record-breaking year in 2025, seizing over $7 million worth of trafficked drugs, and rescuing six victims of human trafficking, officials said.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Chief Christopher Covelli said the SIG, a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) funded task force, opened 184 criminal investigations that led to the arrests of 100 drug, gun, and human traffickers.
In addition, the team and their federal partners seized more than $7 million street value worth of trafficked drugs, over 90 illegally possessed firearms, and rescued six victims of human trafficking, Covelli said.
“These results represent the tireless work of investigators who are committed to dismantling criminal organizations that threaten the safety of our communities,” said Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg. “Every firearm seized, every trafficker arrested, and every victim rescued represents lives protected and communities made safer.”
Idleburg added, “I am extremely proud of the work done by the investigators assigned to SIG and grateful for the strong partnerships we share with our federal and local law enforcement partners.”
SIG is the only HIDTA-funded initiative in Lake County and is led by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Through its partnership with Chicago HIDTA, Covelli said SIG investigators work alongside federal and local law enforcement agencies to target complex criminal enterprises operating throughout the region.
The task force is comprised of local and federal investigators who collaborate to dismantle drug trafficking organizations, illegal firearms trafficking operations, and other criminal enterprises, Covelli said.
Covelli said SIG seized more than 50 pounds of powder fentanyl, over 37 pounds of cocaine, over 16,000 fentanyl pills, more than 23 pounds of methamphetamine, more than 1,400grams of heroin, and over 2,400 grams of psilocybin mushrooms in 2025.
Most of these drug seizures took place in Lake County, Covelli said, while some occurred in surrounding collar counties in anticipation that the drugs would be distributed in Lake County.
In addition to combating drug trafficking and firearms violations, SIG continues to play a critical role in identifying and disrupting human trafficking operations.
In 2025, investigators rescued six victims of human trafficking and connected them with support services through partnerships with local social service organizations.
As a founding member of the Lake County Coalition Against Human Trafficking, SIG remains committed to a collaborative approach that focuses on both enforcement and victim support, Covelli said.
Beyond investigations, SIG investigators also remain actively involved in prevention and education efforts throughout Lake County. Members regularly provide presentations and training for schools, community groups, and local organizations on topics including current drug trends and recognizing the warning signs of human trafficking.
Through these combined enforcement and education efforts, SIG continues to disrupt criminal enterprises and hold traffickers accountable through prosecutions at both the state and federal levels.
Participating SIG Agencies include: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS); United States Department of State; and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Municipal police departments involved include Gurnee, Highland Park, Park City, Round Lake, Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Park, Vernon Hills, Wauconda, Waukegan, Winthrop Harbor and Zion.
The Chicago HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates and provides funding resources to multiagency drug enforcement task forces to disrupt or dismantle local, multi-state, and international drug trafficking organizations.