The Lake County Sheriff’s Special Investigations Group (SIG) seized a record-breaking amount of fentanyl in 2023, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Group (SIG), a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) funded task force, recorded an incredibly successful year in 2023. The team opened 167 criminal investigations, which resulted in the arrests of 64 offenders and seizure of over $2,500,000.00 worth of illegal drugs in Lake County. Additionally, they seized 112 illegally possessed firearms, many of which were possessed by convicted felons.
In 2023, SIG seizures include:
Over 17,000 fentanyl laced pills
Over 120 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms
Nearly 10 pounds of powder cocaine
Nearly 10 pounds of illegally trafficked cannabis
Nearly 900 grams of methamphetamine
In 2023 SIG placed a focus on gun traffickers operating throughout Lake County. This resulted in the seizure of dozens of firearms being sold by gun traffickers, seizure of switch devices that turn pistols into fully automatic firearms and seizure of ghost guns, all while securing the arrests of the offenders.
During one of their investigations, SIG discovered a possible human trafficking operation being run in Saint Charles. SIG turned crucial information they uncovered over to authorities in Saint Charles and assisted local authorities in rescuing five victims from human trafficking.
SIG also places significant emphasis on community outreach, speaking at schools, businesses, community groups, and other public safety organizations. Numerous community presentations were provided in 2023.
“Our Special Investigations Group is making a major positive impact in our community. They successfully stopped over 17,000 deadly fentanyl pills from being sold throughout Lake County, which undoubtedly saved many lives. Over the last five years, SIG has removed nearly $20 million dollars’ worth of drugs being trafficked in Lake County. The partnerships and collaboration between SIG’s member agencies are major reasons that SIG is so successful.”
— Sheriff John D. Idleburg
Participating members of the Lake County Sheriff’s Special Investigations Group are:
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF)
Highland Park PD
Lake County Sheriff’s Office
Park City PD
Round Lake Beach PD
Round Lake Park PD
Round Lake PD
Wauconda PD
Waukegan PD
Winthrop Harbor PD
Zion PD
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