KANKAKEE, Ill. – In a significant drug bust, two Kankakee residents, Miguel Vega-Pizano and Jennifer Rodriquez, were apprehended thanks to a thorough investigation aided by the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPS),
The Kankakee Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group (KAMEG) led the operation, resulting in the recovery of cannabis, fentanyl, and weapons.
Both suspects are currently held at the Jerome Combs Detention Center.
Multiple agencies, including the USPS, Illinois State Police SWAT, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Kankakee City Police Department, executed a search warrant at the suspects’ residence on South Prospect Avenue. The raid yielded approximately 2,228 grams of suspected cannabis, 10.3 grams of suspected fentanyl pills, two handguns, ammunition, and a substantial amount of United States currency.
The pivotal breakthrough in the investigation came when the USPS intercepted a US Priority Mail package containing suspected cannabis. This discovery ultimately led to the execution of the search warrant and the subsequent arrest of Vega-Pizano and Rodriguez. Clayt Wolfe, the Director of KAMEG, expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort, stating, “The investigation revealed several similar US Priority Mail packages being delivered to this address within the last two months. It is gratifying when multiple agencies work together and are successful in disrupting a narcotics operation such as this one, taking narcotics and illegally possessed firearms out of the path of our community.”
Vega-Pizano now faces charges filed through the United States Attorney’s Office, including Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute, Maintaining a drug-involved premises, and Possession of a Firearm by an Illegal Alien.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez faces initial charges from the Kankakee County State’s Attorney’s Office, including Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, Unlawful Possession of Cannabis (2,000-5,000 grams) with Intent to Deliver, and Child Endangerment.
