A Cook County Sheriff’s Office investigation into suspected drug trafficking inside a Streeterville residential high-rise led to the seizure of nearly 200 pounds of pot and “magic mushrooms” — and the arrest of the man who rented the luxury apartment, according to sheriff’s officials and court records.
Sheriff’s Police Organized Crime Division investigators executed a search warrant at a residential building in the 200 block of East Illinois Street after learning that Christopher Jones, 34, was selling marijuana to customers inside the parking garage, the sheriff’s office said.
According to the sheriff’s office, investigators conducted surveillance before the raid and identified a Range Rover registered to Jones. Undercover officers allegedly saw him carry two large duffel bags into the garage, load them into the vehicle’s cargo area, and drive away. After obtaining a search warrant, investigators later approached Jones in the building’s underground garage as he parked the Range Rover and detained him. Sheriff’s officials said they “immediately” smelled cannabis coming from inside the vehicle.
A sheriff’s police K-9 alerted to possible drugs inside the vehicle, and investigators recovered about 14 pounds of cannabis, according to an arrest report. Investigators then searched Jones’ 33rd-floor apartment, where they recovered about 134 pounds of cannabis and 41 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms, the sheriff’s office said.
In a report, investigators estimated the marijuana’s value at approximately $658,300, while the mushrooms were valued at $186,140.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Jones with multiple felony drug possession counts, including manufacture and delivery of more than 5,000 grams of cannabis, a Class X felony. Judge Shauna Boliker released Jones from custody to await trial.
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