Bond set at $750,000 for Quincy man found with package containing kilogram of cocaine during narcotics investigation

QUINCY — Bond has been set at $750,000 for a Quincy man who was arrested Wednesday with more than a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of cocaine that was discovered during a narcotics investigation.

Sami J. Grullon, 25, of Quincy, made his first appearance in Adams County Circuit Court on Thursday afternoon before Judge Tad Brenner. He faces a charge of controlled substance trafficking, a Class X felony, and possession of cocaine of more than 900 grams, a Class 1 felony. If found guilty, Grullon faces a sentencing range of between 30 and 120 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections on the trafficking charge and a sentencing range of 10 to 50 years in the Illinois DOC on the possession charge.

Brenner assigned public defender Christopher Pratt to Grullon’s case.

The Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation West Central Illinois Task Force conducted a narcotics investigation in the 2000 block of Oak on Wednesday. The Quincy Police Department, Adams County Sheriff’s Department and the United States Postal Inspection Service assisted the task force.

Assistant state’s attorney Ryan Parker said a kilogram of cocaine has a street value of approximately $30,000, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. He recommended bond to be set at $500,000 during Grullon’s appearance on Thursday. 

“While not having a criminal history, the defendant is starting it off in a big way with this offense,” Parker said. 

Parker said Grullon was born in the Dominican Republic, and the case has connections to Puerto Rico, which Parker believed made him a flight risk when combined with the seriousness of the crime.

Assistant public defender Sarah Lucey pointed out that Grullon is a U.S. citizen, has lived in Adams County for five years and worked at Dot Foods in Mount Sterling for five months.

“Most importantly, what we see in (Grullon’s) pretrial service report is absolutely no criminal history whatsoever, not even a speeding ticket.” Lucey said. “For what it’s worth, it was not his address on the package (of cocaine). It was not his name on the package. Given his complete lack of criminal history. I would not be surprised if more is discovered about his case as we move forward. Perhaps he’s not this protagonist that the state would like for you to believe.”

Lucey asked for bail to be set at $200,000.

Brenner said the amount of cocaine discovered was more than a kilogram, according to a phase one police report. 

“Additionally, the court notes the address listed for the defendant wasn’t in Adams County but in Beardstown, which is Cass County,” Brenner said. “From the court’s understanding of the phase one police report, the package was somehow identified by the Postal Service, and surveillance was set up as a result.

“It seems like there is a strong case on the state’s end. A kilogram of cocaine is an absolutely huge quantity for a community the size of Quincy.”

Brenner thought Parker’s request for a $500,000 bond was “very much on the light end.” 

A press release from the Illinois State Police noted the investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to contact Zone 4 with the Illinois State Police at (217) 222-0331. 

Grullon remains lodged in the Adams County Jail.