16 Years For Man Who Smuggled 320 Pounds of Pot Through Airport

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL – A Sycamore man who tried to smuggle over 300 pounds of marijuana through a McHenry County airport has been sentenced to 16 years in prison, prosecutors said. Andrzej Hryniewicki pleaded guilty to possession of over 5,000 grams of cannabis with the intent to deliver, a Class X felony, but failed to appear for his sentencing. Authorities say Hryniewicki has fled the country and a McHenry County judge handed down the sentence even though the 51-year-old Sycamore did not appear in court for his sentencing hearing Thursday.

The drug charge stems from a Nov. 18, 2014, incident where federal authorities became aware of a suspicious airplane heading toward McHenry County, according to a news release from the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office. Authorities maintained surveillance on the aircraft as it landed at Galt Airport in Wonder Lake and pulled into a hanger.

Authorities spotted Hryniewicki fleeing from the hangar and authorities found about 320 pounds of marijuana after searching the hangar. Hryniewicki returned to the hangar in an attempt to retrieve the cannabis and was arrested, according to a news release.

Meanwhile, a warrant has been issued for Hryniewicki's arrest, according to online court records. A status hearing on the warrant is set for May 26, 2020.