1,400 pounds of pot stashed with onions on semi

December 21, 2009 (Unincorporated Huntley, Ill.) Sheriff's office investigators learned Monday that a semi truck that contained a large amount of cannabis was going to be traveling through McHenry County, according to a release from the sheriff's office.

With the description of the semi, investigators located it as it arrived at 14206 Harmony Rd. in an unincorporated area of McHenry County near Huntley. Officers conducted surveillance on the semi and saw five men, unloading what appeared to be palates of onions with a forklift.

Officers then approached the semi, investigated further and discovered large bails of cannabis, stored within the palates of onions. In total, there were 1,464 pounds of cannabis on the truck and officers also seized $8,000 in cash.The sheriff's office estimates that the street value of the cannabis is approximately $1.5 million.

Arrested were:

Alfredo Bautista, 30, of Frankfort

Kip Ernest Dalke, 32, of Pingree Grove

Jesus Raymond Padilla, 34, of Hanover Park

Carlos Martin Rodriguez, 32, of Hazel Crest

Guillermo Rodriguez, 44, of Blue Island

Each has been charged with unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver -- a Class X felony -- and unlawful possession of cannabis, a Class 1 felony.

Court information was not immediately available.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire - Copyright Chicago Sun-Times 2009.)