United States Drug Enforcement Administration

CHICAGO -  United States Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Brian M. McKnight and DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced today that felony drug charges have been filed against two Addison men accused of possessing approximately one kilogram of heroin. Luis Ortiz, 24 (d.o.b. 12/23/1994) of 505 Stevens Drive and Christian Cardenas, 23 (d.o.b. 8/29/1995) of 733 N. Lincoln, appeared at a bond hearing this morning where Judge John Kinsella set bond at $300,000 with 10 percent to apply for each defendant. Both men have been charged with one count of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, a Class X Felony. Judge Kinsella also granted the State’s motion for a proof of funds hearing at which the defendants will have to prove that any funds used towards bail were not illegally obtained.      

On April 30, 2019, as part of their continued efforts against illegal narcotics, the DEA executed a search warrant previously obtained for a used car dealership in Addison owned by Cardenas. While executing the search warrant, DEA officers allegedly found one kilogram of heroin inside a vehicle on the lot. Both Cardenas and Ortiz, an employee of the dealership, were taken into custody following a brief foot chase.       

“The DEA is committed to working with our state and local law enforcement partners, and this case is a true reflection of those partnerships,” McKnight said. “Drug Dealers are put on notice. If you seek to distribute heroin in DuPage County or anywhere else in Illinois, you will be held accountable for your actions.”       

  
“In 2018, more than half of the 98 opioid deaths in DuPage County were heroin related,” Berlin said. “One kilogram of heroin is an extraordinary amount, with a street value of between $200,000 - $300,000. Most concerning, however, is the number of deaths that amount of heroin could cause. Thanks to the efforts of the DEA and the Addison Police Department, however, that kilo of heroin will never make it to the streets. I would like to thank Assistant State’s Attorney Joseph Lindt for his work on this case and his continued efforts in ridding our streets of dangerous narcotics.”     

If convicted, the defendants face a penalty of up to 15 to 60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, to be served at 75 percent.

      
Members of the public are reminded that these complaints contain only charges and are not proof of the defendants’ guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial, in which it is the government’s burden to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.   

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