Earlier this month, police reportedly found a load of cocaine in the home of a McKinley Park man after arresting him and obtaining a search warrant to check out him home. The 21-year-old was subsequently charged with manufacturing, delivering, and possessing cocaine. In total, police said they found 79 kilograms of cocaine.
Police have said that the man admitted to having somebody deliver one kilogram of cocaine to another party. Both of those parties now face drug possession charges. During the search of the home, police say they also found $539,406 in cash. According to the man’s defense attorney, he was caught in the middle of a drug deal he had nothing to do with, though sources didn’t detail anything further.
When police search a home on a warrant, there are certain requirements that must be met, both in terms of the warrant itself as well as the execution of the warrant. Failure to meet these requirements can compromise a criminal case.
A legally executed search warrant my specify reasons of probable cause-listing evidence giving police reason to believe that a crime has been committed. Search warrants must be supported by sworn oaths or affidavits of the officials stating the probable cause. Search warrants must also include a specific place, individual and items to be search.
The probable cause of search warrants is perhaps the most frequently contested issue. To take one example, police are restricted to look for certain items in a specific location. If they end up searching areas outside that location, the search becomes illegal, unless certain exceptions apply.
The law in this area can be complicated, and it is imperative to have an experienced attorney at one’s side in building a defense case.
Source: Chicago Sun-times, “Cops find $10 million worth of cocaine in McKinley Park home,” Jon Seidel, February 3, 2013
