Belvidere/Boone County Metro Narcotics Unit assists in arrest

ROCKFORD – On Thursday, Oct. 15, a multi-jurisdictional investigation led by the newly commissioned Belvidere/Boone County Metro Narcotics Unit and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force, assisted by Rockford Police Department Patrol Officers, resulted in the arrest of a Rockford resident on felony drug charges.

Tracy R. Aarli, 35 of Rockford, was charged with one count of Unlawful Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance – psilocybin mushrooms 30 to 200 grams (Class One Felony) and one count of Unlawful Possession With Intent to Deliver Cannabis 2000 to 5000 grams (Class One Felony). Aarli remains in the custody of the Winnebago County Jail with no bond.

On Thursday October 15, the Belvidere/Boone County Metro Narcotics Unit and DEA Task Force, assisted by Rockford Police Department Patrol Officers, executed a search warrant in the 300 block of S. Highland Ave. in Rockford. Approximately five pounds of cannabis (street value $20,000), and four ounces of psilocybin mushrooms (street value $800), scales, packaging materials and U.S. Currency were seized from the residence.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible. A Class One Felony is punishable by four to 15 years in the Department of Corrections.

The Belvidere/Boone County Metro Narcotics Unit encourages anyone having additional information regarding narcotic trafficking or other criminal activity to call the Belvidere/Boone County Metro Narcotics Unit at (815) 544-2135 or Crime Stoppers at (815) 547-7867.

Members of the public are reminded that these are only charges and are not proof of the defendant’s guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the State’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.