Pot Growing Operation Raided

by CYRYL JAKUBOWSKI

The Chicago Police Department Gang Enforcement Unit in a raid on Oct. 17 dismantled a large-scale marijuana-growing operation in a commercial building in the 3900 block of North Elston Avenue and arrested a man on felony drug and weapons charges, according to the Chicago Police Department Office of News Affairs.

The suspect was identified by police as Paul Sherman, age 50, of the Elston address. Sherman was charged with one count of felony manufacturing of marijuana with intent to deliver and illegal weapons charges.

Acting on a tip about a hydroponic marijuana-growing operation, officers executed a search warrant at the 4,200-square-foot facility Wednesday evening and discovered 115 marijuana plants estimated to weigh more than 2.5 tons, 3.175 kilograms of marijuana that was ready for sale, $30,000 in cash and two unregistered guns, according to police.

A spokesman for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office said that narcotics officers discovered three grow rooms, lamps, a ventilation system, reflective foil and packaging materials.

Sherman lives in the building, where he operates the business Paul Sherman Photography. He has been a photographer for more than 15 years, with clients such as Playboy, Koenig and Strey, Fenwick High School, LaSalle Bank and NBC 5 Chicago, according to his Web site.