Immigrants allegedly smuggling fentanyl lead police on dangerous cornfield chase
A recent exclusive video obtained by Fox News has shed light on a high-speed vehicle chase in Grundy County, Illinois, where law enforcement pursued two illegal immigrants suspected of carrying fentanyl through a cornfield. The incident took place late last year, and the intense moments captured on video reveal the dangerous nature of the pursuit.
According to a Grundy County official, Illinois sanctuary state policies allowed the two Honduran illegal immigrants to travel through the county unchecked. Grundy County, located northwest of Chicago, is primarily rural, making it an ideal location for such illicit activities to go unnoticed.
The video footage, taken on October 24, shows the two immigrants, identified as Roybin Barahona, 18, and Cristhian Anahel Erazo Velasquez, 23, driving erratically through the cornfield. Authorities were forced to ram their vehicle to get them to stop. After their car was rammed, the two men fled their sedan, prompting officers to continue the pursuit.
Subsequent footage shows law enforcement discovering a deadly payload of seven pounds of fentanyl in the immigrants’ burned-out vehicle. Both individuals were charged with controlled substance trafficking, possession with intent to deliver fentanyl, and resisting arrest, according to local reports.
However, due to the Illinois SAFE-T Act, which abolished the state’s cash bail system in 2023, Barahona was released without bail and reportedly fled to California. On the other hand, Velasquez remains in custody, with the Department of Homeland Security filing a detainer against him. Despite the detainer, Illinois sanctuary laws prevent local law enforcement from sharing information with federal immigration officials about Velasquez.
Grundy County Board Chairman Drew Muffler expressed frustration with the Illinois sanctuary law, stating that it allowed “illegal bad actors to be traveling with seven pounds of fentanyl through our county.” Grundy County was among the first of several dozen counties in Illinois to defy the state by enacting a non-sanctuary ordinance.
During the migrant crisis, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has staunchly defended the city’s sanctuary policies, vowing to resist the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration. Johnson criticized ICE operations in the city, calling them “unconscionable and reprehensible.” Despite the challenges posed by sanctuary laws, Grundy County and other non-sanctuary counties in Illinois continue to prioritize public safety over political considerations.
In conclusion, the incident in Grundy County serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by illegal immigration and the need for cooperation between local and federal authorities. The video footage obtained by Fox News highlights the intense and risky nature of law enforcement’s efforts to combat drug trafficking and ensure the safety of communities.
