FBI: Algonquin Man Among Those Charged in Cocaine Trafficking Case

An Algonquin man was among 14 arrested this week in a cocaine bust that nvolved drug trafficking in the Round Lake and Round Lake Beach area, according to a Federal Bureau of Investigation press release. 

Joseph Garcia, also known as “Evil,” 28, of Algonquin, was arrested earlier this week in Orlando, Florida. He appeared in federal court where he was among six others charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in connection with the FBI's investigation. 

A drug conspiracy charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum prison sentence of 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine. 

In total, FBI agents and local police arrested six federal defendants this week and eight state defendants following an investigation that began in August 2010. Investigators have seized more than 1.3 kilograms of cocaine during the course of the investigation.

The FBI began investigating Jose Luis Chavez, 33, of Round Lake, as the "lead defendant" in the drug trafficking organization. 

Police allege Chavez, also known as 'Big Lou', would obtain the cocaine and then pass it on to his primary distributor, Armando Lopez. Lopez, also known as "Mando," is accused of then distributing the cocaine in and around Round Lake and Round Lake Beach, according to the news release. 

Two additional federal defendants, Ryon Baldarez, 35, and Agustin Zetina-Marin, 29, both of Round Lake Beach, remain at large and warrants were issued for their arrests.

Eight additional defendants are facing state prosecution on drug charges in Lake County.

"According to the federal complaint, after receiving cocaine from Chavez, Lopez redistributed it through Learn and Baldarez, who were responsible for delivering the cocaine to Lopez’s customers," according to the press release.

"Lopez allegedly brokered kilogram-cocaine deals for Chavez by connecting Chavez with various sources of supply," according to the news release. "Chavez allegedly distributed his cocaine through Lopez, as well as through Garcia and Zetina-Marin."

The largest drug seizure occurred on May 31, 2011, when police recovered around a kilogram of cocaine during a traffic stop on I-94 near Deerfield Road. The cocaine was allegedly being delivered to Chavez at the time, according to the news release.