Sheriff: Chicago Heights Business Owner Caught with $48,000 in Cocaine

Lamondra Townsend, 40, of the 6200 block of West Beaver Dam Road in Matteson was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia after police seized 480 grams of cocaine, a grinder and digital scales from his home, officials say.

Townsend, who owns a towing company in Chicago Heights, also had two semi-automatic pistols and ammunition, according to the Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart.

The Sheriff's office described the apprehension of Townsend in a press release:

The Cook County Sheriff’s Police Gangs Unit obtained a search warrant for Townsend’s home based on information developed from a number of sources.  After conducting surveillance for several weeks, officers executed a search warrant at the house, located in a quiet subdivision of Matteson. On May 26th, officers knocked on the front door of Townsend’s residence, then entered after no response.  In plain view were plastic bags containing cocaine, along with drug distribution supplies.  Police detained Townsend after locating him in the basement of the home.

The street value of the drugs hovers around $48,000, according to the Sheriff's office, who is considering Townsend a mid-level cocaine dealer.

Townsend's bond was set at $75,000, and he is scheduled to appear in court June 17.