Police Bust $1 Million Cannabis Operation Near Naperville, 2 Charged

Two men are headed to court after police uncovered a marijuana-growing operation in their Aurora townhouse Thursday, officials said.

Naperville and Aurora police executed a search warrant at 5:59 p.m. Thursday, July 11 at 434 Plaza Place, the home of Gregory F. Accardi, 60, and Matthew J. Fenton, 30, according to a news release.

Police seized 230 cannabis sativa plants and five pounds of cultivated cannabis at the Aurora home. The total street value of the plants is an estimated $1,066,900, according to police.

Accardi and Fenton were each charged with unlawful production of cannabis sativa plants and unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, both class 1 felonies.

Accardi was also charged with resisting arrest, a class A misdemeanor.

If convicted of any class 1 felony, Accardi and Fenton face up to 15 years in prison, according to sentencing guidelines in the current state statute. Accardi could serve less than one year on the separate misdemeanor charge.

The Naperville and Aurora special operations groups worked together on the investigation into the operation. Naperville Police was the lead agency and obtained a search warrant through DuPage County, the release said.

Naperville police remind the public that a charge is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

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