(WOODRIDGE) An estimated $4 million worth of methamphetamine was seized following a traffic stop on the Stevenson Expressway in the western suburbs Monday afternoon.
Francisco J. Navarro Montez, 37, of Columbus, Ohio, was charged with possession of methamphetamine after 44 pounds of the drug was found in his truck after he was stopped for speeding on I-55 at Lemont Road near Woodridge, according to a statement from Illinois State Police.
An ISP trooper pulled over a grey pickup for speeding at 2:45 p.m. and requested a K-9 unit. The dog alerted to the scent of drugs and the meth was found in the tailgate of the truck, police said.
The estimated street value was $4 million.
Navarro Montes was transported to the DuPage County Jail, where he was being held on a $15,000 bond, police said.
Firefighters battle an extra-alarm warehouse blaze Thursday in Woodridge. | Lemont Fire Protection District
(WOODRIDGE) Federal authorities are investigating an extra-alarm fire Thursday night at a southwest suburban furniture warehouse, where damages could be as high as $50 million.
Fire crews were called about 5 p.m. to assist with the blaze at The RoomPlace warehouse at 2501 Internationale Parkway in Woodridge, according to the Lemont Fire Protection District.
About 50 employees escaped unharmed, and no firefighters were injured, officials said. The fire was brought under control by about 9:30 p.m. More than 100 firefighters from 30 departments were called in to help with the blaze, officials said.
The cause and origin of the fire is under investigation by several agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, spokesman Tom Ahern said.
Agents were deployed to the scene Friday afternoon because of the magnitude of the blaze, which destroyed about 700,000 square feet. Damage to the structure and the contents could be up to $50 million, according to preliminary estimates.
“As a family-owned company, our immediate focus is on our employees and customers,” a statement from The RoomPlace said.
“We are actively working to restore what was lost and communicating with all customers regarding any delays in deliveries that are a result of this incident. We appreciate your patience during this difficult time and will communicate more in the coming days,” the statement said.
An ATF K-9 unit at the scene of The RoomPlace warehouse blaze in Woodridge Friday afternoon. | Tom Ahern/ATF
