Calumet City officials make big bust

CALUMET CITY | A Chicago man was arrested Wednesday after police stopped him while driving away from a residence that housed more than 900 pounds of marijuana, officials said.

Police conducting a long-term investigation of a residence at 31 Highland St. stopped a minivan leaving the house Wednesday and found about 69 pounds of suspected marijuana inside the vehicle, police Capt. Dan Zorzi said.

The suspected drugs were individually wrapped in plastic bags and stored in two large black garbage bags, according to a police news release.

Matthew L. Clark, 37, of Chicago, was arrested for several traffic violations and possession of cannibus, the release states.

Investigators then sought a search warrant for the residence. A search of the home turned up about 920 pounds of suspected marijuana, police said.

Eight handguns, scales and narcotics distribution packaging materials also were found in the residence, the release states.

The total 989 pounds of marijuana has an estimated street value of about $4.5 million, Zorzi said.

Additional charges are pending, according to the Cook County state's attorney's office.