PEORIA, Ill., Sept. 19 (UPI) -- A house in Peoria, Ill., served as both a day-care center and a base for a drug-dealing operation, police said.
The police vice and narcotics unit searched the house Friday, The Peoria Journal Star reported. Detectives said they found about 8 ounces of cocaine, scales and drug-packaging supplies, a caged pit bull and three children, all 2 or under.
"We were kind of shocked," an officer said. "We didn't know what we were walking into. It was a very enlightening experience. Parents ought to be very careful on where they're sending their kids. You'd better be doing some checking on where the kids are going."
Two older boys showed up during the afternoon after the end of the school day, police said. Police notified the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
Romon L. Ferguson, 28, who lives in the house, was arrested there, while his brother, Kenyatta, 31, was arrested at another address. Their mother, who owns the house but was not there when it was raided, is also expected to face charges.
Another woman was caring for the children at the time of the raid.
