Crime & Safety
Shorewood and Romeoville Cops Get in on Massive Drug Bust
Local police had a hand in collaring a Joliet man who they say was riding around New Lenox Township with nearly $1 million worth of cocaine.
Shorewood officers teamed up with the Will County Gang Suppression Unit and Romeoville cops to capture a Joliet man who police say was carrying nearly $1 million worth of cocaine.
Mario Gomez, 37, of 560 Meeker Ave., was caught with the cocaine about 8:40 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of Maple and Gougar roads, police said.
The police pulled over Gomez after he blew a stop sign in his Ford F-150, according to a statement released by the Will County Sheriff's Office.
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Gomez, who police said does not have a valid driver's license, was the only person in the truck.
Officers said they searched the pickup and discovered a hidden compartment behind the rear bench seat. Deputies then found four duct tape-wrapped packages in the secret compartment, police said.
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The packages contained approximately 10 pounds of cocaine with a street value of $800,000, police said.
Gomez was taken into custody and charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.
He was transported to the Will County Adult Detention Facility and will appear in bond court Friday afternoon.
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