Drugs, Guns, Body Armor, Fireworks Seized In Palatine Raid: Police

PALATINE, IL — Two Palatine men have been charged after police said officers executing a search warrant tied to an ongoing narcotics investigation recovered drugs, guns, ammunition, body armor, ballistic helmets, fireworks and a large amount of cash.

The search warrant was executed Monday at a residence in the 1–99 block of East Dundee Quarter by Palatine police, with assistance from the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, according to the Palatine Police Department.

RELATED: Palatine Police, NIPAS Conduct Activity Near Baldwin, Dundee Quarter

The police activity was the same operation that prompted Palatine police to tell residents Monday there was no known threat to the public after an increased law enforcement presence was reported near North Baldwin Road and Dundee Quarter. At the time, police said additional information would be released if appropriate.

During the search, investigators recovered suspected ecstasy, also known as MDMA; cocaine; psilocybin, commonly known as magic mushrooms; cannabis; alprazolam, commonly known as Xanax; THC vape cartridges; multiple firearms; ammunition; body armor; military-style ballistic helmets; fireworks; and a large amount of U.S. currency, police said.

Edgar Garcia Martinez, 20, of the 1–99 block of East Dundee Quarter, Palatine, was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon while in possession of body armor, a Class X felony; unlawful possession of a controlled substance, MDMA/ecstasy, a Class 1 felony; unlawful possession of a controlled substance, psilocybin, a Class 4 felony; unlawful possession of cannabis, more than 100 grams, a Class 4 felony; possession of firearm ammunition without a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification card, a Class A misdemeanor; and unlawful possession of fireworks, a Class A misdemeanor.

Andres Garcia, 35, of the 1–99 block of East Dundee Quarter, Palatine, was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, loaded firearm, prior felony conviction, a Class 2 felony; unlawful possession of a controlled substance, psilocybin, a Class 4 felony; unlawful possession of a controlled substance, alprazolam/Xanax, a Class 4 felony; and possession of firearm ammunition without a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification card, a Class A misdemeanor.

Both defendants are scheduled to appear for detention hearings Thursday in Room 108 of the Cook County Third Municipal District Courthouse in Rolling Meadows, police said.

The Palatine Police Department thanked NIPAS and the DEA for assisting with the investigation.