The Berwyn Police Department seized nearly $4 million in drugs in two separate  busts last week, including one bust which city and Cook County police are describing as one of the most elaborate drug operations in recent history.

The seizures began Nov. 2 when the Berwyn Police Department and Cook County sheriff’s department officers executed a search warrant after an investigation at 2237 S. Ridgeland Ave.

“This operation was similar to Walgreens in the drug business,” said Berwyn Deputy Police Joseph Drury.

Kevin Ruel, deputy chief with the Cook County Sheriff Special Investigation Unit, said officers searched the apartment for drugs and discovered a highly sophisticated setup for drug making. Ventilation piping and special lighting was set up throughout three rooms of the home, along with multiple heaters, dehumidifiers and portable air conditioners.

Officers seized more than seven kilograms of cocaine, 355 marijuana plants, 300 grams of heroin, numerous ecstasy and Vicodin pills and 10 handguns.

Berwyn police displayed the items seized during a press conference Nov. 4 in the Police Department’s Community Room.

Drury  said the estimated street value of the drugs seized from the home was about $3.6 million.
Officers found no cash during the search, and Drury said the money made from the sale of the drugs produced may be stored at another location.

“We did not realize it was this sophisticated of an operation,” Ruel said. “As far as the level of sophistication and impact, I would definitely rank this as one of the top busts this year.”

Officers questioned a man and a woman during the search.

Richard Medina, 26, of Berwyn was charged with 10 counts of possession and intent to deliver cocaine, heroin, marijuana, Vicodin and ecstasy; two felony charges of possession of a firearm; and one felony for armed violence. Berwyn Police Cmdr. Michael Cimaglia said Medina may be indicted on additional charges, along with other arrests of individuals involved in the drug making operation as the investigation continues.

Medina remains in custody at the Berwyn Police Department awaiting a bond hearing Thursday, Nov. 5, in a Cook County courtroom in Maywood. The woman was released from police custody Nov. 3, Cimaglia said.

Berwyn Police Chief William Kushner said along with the drugs, the home posed a dangerous risk for nearby homeowners, with items including large canisters of carbon dioxide and plant fertilizer stored in the home, creating the possibility of a large explosion.

“It’s one of the most elaborate setups I’ve seen in 33 years of law enforcement in Chicago, Berwyn or anywhere else,” Kushner said. “It’s very uncommon to find a combination of a cocaine operation, a heroin operation and a growing operation in the same location.”

2nd bust nets more drugs

The Berwyn Police Department conducted its second drug bust of the week, netting another large amount of marijuana early Friday, Nov. 6.

Officers from the Special Tactical Unit and Drug Enforcement Agency served a warrant at a home in the 2500 block of Highland Avenue.

While in the home, officers found nearly 100 pounds of marijuana, an unknown amount of cocaine and several pieces of drug manufacturing and distribution equipment, according to police.

Police said the bust is separate from the Nov. 2 seizure on the 2200 block of South Ridgeland Avenue.

No charges have been filed against anyone involved in the second bust, police said.