A DuPage County drug task force arrested two men on Tuesday, July 14, after authorities seized cocaine, firearms, and more than $26,000 in cash from homes in Willowbrook and Downers Grove.

The DuPage Metropolitan Enforcement Group, a countywide task force that includes about 28 local police departments, targeted George Haddad, 59, of the 500 block of Redondo Drive in Downers Grove, describing him as an "alleged source of cocaine in the area," according to a DuPage County State's Attorney's Office news release. In a separate incident the same day, Sterling Boston, 33, of the 10S600 block of Lilac Lane in Willowbrook, was arrested after officers found 65 grams of cocaine on him and a loaded AR-style pistol with no serial number inside his home.

The Haddad investigation

DUMEG undercover officers completed a purchase of 28 grams of cocaine from Haddad for $1,400 on Thursday, July 2, according to the release.

On July 14, officers completed a second transaction, purchasing 129.6 grams of cocaine for $6,200. In total, undercover officers bought roughly 157.6 grams of cocaine from Haddad across the two deals, spending $7,600 in official advance funds.

Later that day, authorities executed a search warrant at Haddad's Redondo Drive home and reported finding about 81 grams of cocaine in baggies with different prices written on them, 27 amphetamine pills, 14 firearms, and $26,422 in cash.

Haddad faces four counts of delivery of a controlled substance (cocaine) and a misdemeanor charge of possession of a firearm with no serial number. He was released on electronic GPS monitoring with a condition that he not possess any firearms. His next court date is Monday, Aug. 24.

The Boston arrest

At about 10:07 a.m. on July 14, members of the U.S. Marshal Fugitive Apprehension Team arrived at Boston's Lilac Lane address on an unrelated matter and saw him leaving the premises. After a brief conversation, Boston began walking away and reaching for his waistband, according to the release. A task force officer grabbed the waistband area and felt a large bag, later found to contain 20 small yellow baggies of cocaine totaling about 65 grams.

A search warrant at the residence turned up additional yellow baggies, a large amount of cannabis, and a loaded AR-style pistol with no serial number in a backpack next to a bed.

Boston is charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. A judge granted a petition to deny his pre-trial release, and he remains in custody. His next court appearance is Wednesday, July 22.

Tips and next steps

"Drug dealers destroy communities and care nothing for their victims, society or the rule of law," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in the release.

Residents with information about drug activity in DuPage County can contact DUMEG at [email protected] or call the Illinois State Police tip line at 800-229-5660.