On Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at approximately 11:00 a.m., KAMEG Agents, assisted by Illinois State Police SWAT, United States Postal Inspection Service, Bureau of Alcohol-Tobacco-Firearms & Explosives (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Kankakee City Police Department, arrested 24-year-old Miguel Vega-Pizano and 24-year-old Jennifer Rodriguez of Kankakee, IL, following a search warrant at their residence in the 800 block of South Prospect Avenue, Kankakee. The search warrant execution resulted in the seizure of approximately 2,228 grams of suspected cannabis, approximately 10.3 grams of suspected fentanyl pills, two handguns, ammunition, and United States Currency.

The investigation into Vega-Pizano and Rodriguez led to the interception of a US Priority Mail package containing suspected cannabis, which culminated with the search warrant execution. According to KAMEG Director Clayt Wolfe, “The investigation revealed several similar US Priority Mail packages being delivered to this address within the last two months. It is gratifying when multiple agencies work together and are successful in disrupting a narcotics operation such as this one, taking narcotics and illegally possessed firearms out of the path of our community.”

A criminal complaint has been filed through the US Attorney’s Office with the United States District Court in the Central District of Illinois against Vega-Pizano. Vega-Pizano has been initially charged with the following: Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute, Maintaining a drug-involved premises, and Possession of a Firearm by an Illegal Alien. 

Rodriguez has been initially charged with the following through the Kankakee County State’s Attorney’s Office: Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, Unlawful Possession of Cannabis (2,000-5,000 grams) with Intent to Deliver and Child Endangerment.

Vega-Pizano and Rodriguez were transported to and detained at the Jerome Combs Detention Center (Kankakee County).