Crime & Safety

Kane County Police Seize $4 million in Marijuana Bust Alongside I-90

Police discovered more than 230 pounds of high-quality marijuana after searching a westbound van Saturday morning.

Kane County police seized $4 million in marijuana following two arrests Saturday morning alongside I-90 near Hampshire.

When a Kane County sheriff’s deputy stopped a Ford Econoline van with Arizona license plates at 10:30 a.m. March 12 at I-90 and Route 20, the officer discovered 230 pounds of high-quality marijuana valued at $4 million in the van.

Xaiana Thammavong, 45, of the 200 block of South Liberty, Elgin and Xom M. Vongsaly, 58, of Fresno California were each charged with cannabis trafficking, delivery of more than 5,000 grams of marijuana and possession of more than 5,000 grams of marijuana. Thammavong was also charged with driving on a revoked license.

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Thammavong, who was wanted by the Elgin police department for failure to register as a child sex offender, was driving the westbound vehicle on I-90 at 35 mph. When the officer pulled up alongside the van, Thammavong leaned back in his seat to hide his face. Once the vehicle was pulled over, the Thammavong switched places with Vongsaly.

Due to the high grade, police estimate the marijuana could be sold for as much as $40 per gram, puting a total estimated street value of the seizure at roughly $4 million.

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Bond was set at $10.1 million for Thammavong and $10 million for Vongsaly.


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