Owner, Employee of Big Grow Hydroponics Arrested for Delivery of Marijuana

An owner and one employee of Big Grow Hydroponics in Lake in the Hills were arrested on Monday and are accused of selling marijuana, according to the McHenry County Sheriff's Office.

Michael J. Singley, 40, of Rockton was arrested and charged with one count of unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, one count possession of cannabis and one count of  unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the sheriff's office news release.  

Singley is an owner of Big Grow Hydroponics, 9225 Trinity Unit B and C, in Lake in the Hills, sheriff police said. 

Big Grow employee John E. Czaplicki, 22, of Gurnee also was arrested and charged with one count of unlawful delivery of cannabis and one count unlawful possession of cannabis, sheriff police said.

Big Grow Hydroponics sells hydroponic growing systems as well as products meant for indoor growing and other gardening needs, according to Big Grow's website. 

Acting on a tip, sheriff deputies investigated reports that marijuana was being sold by employees of Big Grow Hydroponics. The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search Monday of the business, which is located just west of Route 31. The Lake in the Hills Police Department assisted in the search. 

At the conclusion of the search warrant, the two employees were arrested for cannabis-related drug charges.

Deputies also seized $1,615; a Scion Tc vehicle; about 1,200 grams of cannabis; one digital scale, packaging materials; and multiple items of drug paraphernalia, police said. 

The street value of the cannabis is estimated at about $11,000, sheriff police said.

Bond for Czaplicki was set at $50,000, and he is scheduled to next appear in court at 9 a.m. Nov. 29. Singley's bail was set at $20,000, and he is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. Nov. 28.

“Anyone with information about illegal drug activity is asked to call your local law enforcement agency or the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office at 815-338-2144," Undersheriff Andrew Zinke said in the press release.