2,000-PLANT POT FARM SEIZED

Police say there were several remarkable features to Philip Alonso's
farming operation.

First, it was highly sophisticated.

Second, it was spread across four DuPage County localities.

Third, it was all indoors.

Fourth, and most important, it was highly illegal, police alleged.

On Thursday, Naperville police displayed what they said was the product of
Alonso's labors, about 2,000 marijuana plants ranging in height from 6
inches to 6 feet, along with Alonso's farming equipment, such as lamps,
drying machines, scales, bag sealers, and thousands of pounds of a
dirt-peat-humus mixture.

"I have never seen an indoor operation like this before," said Naperville
Police Chief David Dial. "It was unbelievably sophisticated, with lighting
systems on timers, a water irrigation system that took up the entire
basement of the first house."

Alonso, 44, who was arrested Wednesday night, gave his legal address as
Miami, but police said they believe he spent the bulk of his time in the
DuPage area, tending his crops.

DuPage Judge Ann Jorgensen on Thursday set his bond at $4 million cash on
charges of production of marijuana and possession with intent to deliver.
The bond amount is roughly equal to the purported street value of all the
illegal drugs that were confiscated.

If convicted, Alonso faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

"If we didn't seize this, it would be out on the streets of DuPage and the
rest of the suburban area," said Dial.

Police said they were tipped to the planted pot by a neighbor who lived
near a home rented by Alonso at 634 E. 5th Ave. in Naperville. Police said
that did not live there.

Police said the neighbor, who asked not to be identified, noticed a recent
increase in activity at the home and called police.

When police investigated the vacant home, they found that it was consuming
a suspiciously high level of electrical power, and when they stopped a
person leaving the house, they said they found he was carrying a small
amount of marijuana.

So, police said, they obtained a search warrant and discovered the basement
awash in thriving marijuana plants.

Naperville police then notified the DuPage Metropolitan Enforcement Group,
the county's undercover drug unit.

On Wednesday, the combined police units raided homes at 26 W 484
Butterfield Rd., Wheaton; 21 W 751 North Ave., Glen Ellyn; 3608 Madison
St., Oak Brook; and 760 S. Washington and 30 W 541 Ferry Rd., both in
Naperville. Alonso rented or owned the homes.

The cache at any of the other homes was not as large as at the first
Naperville home: 1,000 plants and 10 pounds of harvested plants. But police
said they collected more than 1,000 marijuana plants and 60 pounds of
harvested marijuana at the five homes.

"This bust is due to all the members of the public being involved in their
community," said DuPage County State's Atty. Joseph Birkett. "As long as a
supply like this exists, we will continue to have drug problems.

Birkett said he has instructed his staff to start forfeiture actions
against Alonso's "vehicles, bank accounts and any other assets we can
find."

Dial said that he had noticed an increase in the amount of narcotics in the
community, "and I believe this discovery will amount to a significant
restriction for some young people."

Dial said that since the discovery of the marijuana growing operation,
police have been in contact with federal drug agencies, as well as police
in Florida.

"But we believe Alonso is the main player in this system," Dial said.

Also arrested was Dino Pedicini, 37, of 813 E. North Ave., Glendale
Heights. Police said they believe he has been helping maintain the plants
for Alonso and is charged with illegal production of marijuana, police
said.

Checked-by: Joel W. Johnson