Crime & Safety
California Man Arrested in Traffic Stop; $290K of Marijuana Seized in Crystal Lake
Michael P. Karavastev, 38, was charged with multiple drug-related offenses after a McHenry County Sheriff deputy stopped him near Routes 14 and 31.
A traffic stop at the corner of Routes 31 and 14 in Crystal Lake led to the arrest of a California man and seizure of $290,000 worth of narcotics, McHenry County Sheriff police said.
Michael P. Karavastev, 38, 1619 Ottawa Ct., Apt. 3, Sunnyvale, Calif., was arrested Monday, Dec. 3, and charged with:
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- One count cannabis trafficking (Class X)
- One count unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver (Class X)
- One count unlawful posssession of cannabis (Class 1)
A McHenry County Sheriff deputy initiated a traffic stop on Karavastev, who was driving a 2011 Mercedes Sprinter van near the intersection of Routes 14 and 31 on the east side of Crystal Lake.
A McHenry County K-9 Deputy was called to the scene, and the service dog indicated the presence of narcotics inside the Mercedes, according to the sheriff's office.
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Police searched the contents of the van and found eight shipment boxes hidden in a crate. Each box contained numerous packages of cannabis, the release stated.
At the conclusion of the investigation, sheriff deputies recovered approximately 75 pounds of cannabis with a street value of approximately $290,000, sheriff police said.
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