OG Article: here
View our Fair Use Policy: here
By Jeff Bonty
BONFIELD — A traffic stop made by Herscher police led to the arrest of two Chicago men and the discovery of a cannabis growing operation where Kankakee Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group agents found about 700 cannabis plants in rural Bonfield on Monday. Yi Chao Mai, 44, and Yaozong Yu, 29, both of Chicago, were arrested by KAMEG for the preliminary charge for possession of cannabis plants (more than 200). They are expected to appear for bond court today, according to the Kankakee County State’s Attorney’s Office. Herscher Police Chief Kurt Quick said at 2:15 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a U-Haul at S. 10000W Road and Illinois Route 17 West. The violation was for improper lane usage. During the stop, the officer could smell the strong odor of cannabis coming from the U-Haul. Herscher police requested assistance from KAMEG’s K-9, which had a positive alert on the U-Haul, Quick said. Forty to 50 bags of cannabis plant material were found in the back of the U-Haul, Quick said. An investigation by KAMEG agents led to them obtaining a search warrant at an address in rural Bonfield.
During a search after the warrant was executed, agents found about 700 cannabis plants throughout the house.
Quick said it was a well-organized and elaborate growing operation.
Jeff Bonty is a reporter for The Daily Journal. He can be reached at jbonty@daily-journal.com and 815-937-3366.
