A North Chicago man is facing serious felony charges after prosecutors say he was caught possessing and selling a large amount of cocaine to a law enforcement informant on different occasions.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Group (SIG) identified Jesus Ceja, 41, of North Chicago, in March as a suspect who was trafficking narcotics in Lake County, according to Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Lillian Lewis.
Investigators used a confidential source who was familiar with Ceja to conduct their operations. The confidential source purchased drugs from Ceja before, Lewis said.
The source provided $800 in cash for an ounce of cocaine from Ceja on March 12.
Lewis said the confidential source went to Ceja’s garage at his home in the 2800 block of Argonne Drive in North Chicago in the afternoon.
Ceja and the source went inside a white truck that was parked in the garage where a hand-to-hand exchange occurred.
Ceja provided the source with a plastic baggie that contained a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine by the crime lab, Lewis said.
The confidential source provided $800 in cash to obtain an ounce of cocaine from Ceja on March 20.
The source went into Ceja’s garage that morning where he provided the source a plastic baggie that contained a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine at the crime lab, Lewis said.
The confidential source reported that Ceja had approximately four ounces of suspected cocaine in his possession at the time of the exchange, Lewis said.
Investigators continued surveilling Ceja after the second exchange on March 20.
Ceja left his residence and drove the white truck and officers conducted a traffic stop on him at Green Bay Road and Argonne Drive in North Chicago, Lewis said.
Ceja was taken into custody and investigators found a small plastic baggie with a white powdery substance inside, Lewis said.
The crime lab later confirmed the substance to be cocaine. Ceja was transported to the sheriff’s office and interviewed.
Lewis said the man told police that he had a “rock” inside his garage behind a microwave and approximately $800 near it.
Officers went to his residence and were given permission to search the home by a resident.
Officers found the $800 the confidential source provided to Ceja and a compressed plastic bag with a white powdery substance inside, Lewis said. The substance was later confirmed to be cocaine by the crime lab.
Over 173 grams of cocaine were seized during the investigation, along with 1.59 grams of methamphetamine.
Ceja was initially released from custody after his arrest without charges. Investigators obtained charges in late April for manufacturing or delivery of cocaine over 100 grams, two counts of manufacturing or delivery of cocaine over 15 grams and possession of a controlled substance.
Ceja was later arrested and transported to the Lake County Jail and the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain him pending trial.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Dino Katris argued for Ceja to be held in custody, saying he was “dangerous” and anyone who has attended drug court can see firsthand the destruction that cocaine has caused to addicts.
Katris said Ceja, who has prior drug cases and a prison sentence for drug dealing, possessed roughly $17,300 in cocaine.
Lake County Judge Michael Nerheim granted the petition to detain during a detention hearing where Ceja’s attorney, Robert T. Ritacca, argued for his client’s release.
Ceja is scheduled to appear in court again on July 15.