| Photo: Cook County Sheriff’s Office |
| A “dummy wall” concealed several rooms where family members divided up different stages of the cultivation process. Some plants were six feet tall. |
An Illinois family is accused of running a million-dollar “designer marijuana” grow operation from their home.
John Gecan, 52; his wife Darlene, 52; their son Christopher, 27; and another relative, James Osmolski, 22, were charged after police busted the grow op in the 7,000-square-foot home in an unincorporated area near Tinley Park, according to Cook County Sheriff’s officials, reports Chicago Breaking News Center.
Sheriff’s detectives said they began investigating the family earlier this month after intercepting a package of marijuana buds addressed to the home.
| Photo: Cook County Sheriff’s Office |
| L-R: John Gecan, 52; his wife Darlene, 52; their son Christopher, 27; and another relative, James Osmolski, 22, were charged after police busted a “sophisticated” pot growing operation |
John and Christopher Gecan were arrested Tuesday after they received the shipment of marijuana. During the arrest, detectives claimed they smelled a “strong odor of pot” coming from the house and saw “drug paraphernalia,” including cannabis pipes and a grinder, “in plain view” in the garage, officials said.
Dozens of marijuana plants and a sophisticated marijuana cultivation operation were found inside the home, according to detectives. Police removed 97 plants, 2,960 grams (almost six pounds) of marijuana, and $7,511 in cash, along with a “small amount” of cocaine, police claimed.
Police claimed the street value of the marijuana is “more than $1 million,” saying the Gecans cultivated “an unusually high quality product.”
According to officials, a large section of the home’s basement was occupied by the marijuana growing operation.
A “dummy wall” concealed several rooms where family members divided up different stages of the cultivation process. The rooms were set up with insulation, automatic temperature control, dehumidifiers and an elaborate ventilation system with air filtration, according to officials.
Some of the plants were as much as six feet tall. Police claimed the family used charters and computers to track production, harvesting and pricing, with prices ranging from $40 for a quarter ounce of “regular” marijuana to $4,409 for a pound of “primo” cannabis.
Police also seized lighting fixtures, irrigation tables, fertilizer and indoor hydroponic equipment.
John and Christopher Gecan and Osmolski had bails set at $50,000 each, while Darlene Gecan had bail set at $25,000. All were charged with marijuana possession and with intent to deliver.
John and Darlene Gecan were released on bond Thursday afternoon, while young Christopher Gecan and Osmolski were still in Cook County Jail, according to the sheriff’s office.