Cocaine Dealer with Mexican Cartel Ties Sold Drugs Near School: Police

Berwyn, IL - A man accused of being a major cocaine supplier in the near west suburbs was arrested May 5 in Berwyn.

Riverside police followed drug intelligence information to a loading dock in the 2900 block of Ridgeland Avenue in Berwyn, where a narcotics transaction took place within 1,000 feet of Freedom Middle School, according to Riverside police.

Jose U. Lechuga, 40, of the 3200 block of south Springfield Avenue in Chicago, was arrested at 7:17 p.m. May 5 by Riverside police and members from the West Suburban Enhanced Drug/Gang Enforcement task force.

Police recovered 157 grams of cocaine, $1,000 in cash, cutting materials, scales, packaging material and drug paraphernalia. Lechuga also had narcotics in his 2007 Hummer, police reported.

Riverside Police Chief and WEDGE chairperson Thomas Weitzel said in a statement that Lechuga had direct ties to the Mexican cartel.

Lechuga was charged with felony unlawful possession of a controlled substance, felony unlawful delivery of a controlled substance while within 1,000 feet of a school and unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, according to Riverside police.

Lechuga sold cocaine from his business to people who met him in the loading dock or next to the property, police reported.

"The arrest of Mr. Lechuga, who was making daily sales within 1,000 feet of a grade school, is exactly the reason that the WEDGE task force was formed," Weitzel said. "This unit, made up of 10 west suburban communities, handles gang and drug cases which impact the communities we serve. This arrest will immediately improve the quality of life for residents in the area of the 2900 block of south Ridgeland in Berwyn."

Lechuga was arrested in 2014 in Chicago for narcotics-related charges related to the manufacture and delivery of cocaine. He is currently on felony probation.

Riverside Police filed seizure paperwork for the drug cash proceeds and the 2007 Hummer.

Photo courtesy of WEDGE.