2 Area Drug Dealers Off Street After Police Seize Heroin Valued at $693,000: Police

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL - Two Crystal Lake men face drug charges after authorities recovered a total of 3,465 grams of heroin valued at over $693,000 this past week in two separate incidents. Bail has been set at $800,000 for Paul Benzinger, 29, of Crystal Lake, who has been charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, a class 1 felony, and two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a class 4 felony, following his arrest on Monday.Meanwhile, bail was set at $2 million for Roman Castro, 47, who has been charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, a class x felony, and unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a class 1 felony, after his arrest on Tuesday.

Benzinger was arrested following a traffic stop in Algonquin on May 1. Detectives had received numerous complaints from concerned citizens that Benzinger, who was out on parole for previous heroin related convictions, was selling again, police said. During the traffic stop, they found 36 bags containing 3.6 grams of heroin and also found .1 grams of crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia on him.

The street value of the drugs seized in this investigation is approximately $750, according to a news release from the McHenry County Sheriff's Office.

The next day, Castro was arrested at his apartment in the 600 block of Virginia Avenue in Crystal Lake. Detectives had received information that Castro was holding a large amount of heroin in the residence. At the conclusion of the investigation, detectives recovered 3,462 grams of heroin, scales, and packaging materials.

The street value of the heroin seized from this investigation is estimated at $692,400.

“Everyone in law enforcement agrees that heroin and heroin derivatives have become a plague in our communities,” said Sheriff Bill Prim. “These seizures and removal of these two accused dealers from the streets will help reduce the number of victims.”

Benzinger is next expected in court on May 5. Castro will next appear in court on May 9.