Prosecutor: Major drug trafficking operation dismantled
Wednesday morning before dawn, more than 10 law enforcement officers served search warrants at ten separate locations as part of an investigation into the one of the largest drug trafficking operations in Elkhart County history, according to Elkhart County Prosecutor Chad Hill.
During a press conference Thursday, Hill detailed the investigation that resulted in the arrests of ten people on Wednesday and 14 other people for various drug trafficking crimes on other dates.
The investigation began in October 2015 after the Elkhart County Interdiction and Covert Enforcement Unit learned Jorge "Zae" Moreida was involved in the sale of meth and guns in the county, according to H ill.
Investigators learned Moreida's alleged supplier, Luis Jaquez, was also located in Elkhart County, Hill said.
Hill said as a result of the investigation more than 13 pounds of crystal meth was taken off the streets.
Search warrants were served at the following locations
- 812 W. Indiana Avenue, Elkhart
- 2644 Sterling Avenue, Elkhart
- 640 Hiawatha Drive, Elkhart
- 25522 Modrell Avenue, Elkhart
- 1238 Maple Row, Elkhart
- 609 Capital Boulevard, Elkhart
- 54253 Berkley Avenue, Elkhart
- 508 I Lane, Elkhart
- 668 North Wildflower, Bristol
- 71395 CR25, New Paris
Police seized more than a pound of meth, $23,000 in currency as well as marijuana, cocaine, prescription drugs and guns while serving the search warrants, according to the prosecutor's office.
The following people were arrested and charged:
- Luis Hector Jacquez, 56, Elkhart - Dealing in methamphetamine in an amount more than 10 grams, a level 2 felony
- Juan Carlos Rivera, 40, Elkhart - Dealing in methamphetamine in an amount more than 10 grams, a level 2 felony
- Alejandro Nava-Rodriguez, 52, Elkhart - Dealing in methamphetamine in an amount more than 10 grams, a level 2 felony
- Enedeo Rodriguez, 36, New Paris - Dealing in methamphetamine in an amount more than 10 grams, a level 2 felony
- Jorge "Zae" Moreida, 29, Elkhart - Dealing in methamphetamine in an amount more than 10 grams, a level 2 felony
- Oscar Sandoval, 30, Bristol - Dealing in methamphetamine in an amount more than 10 grams, a level 2 felony
- Sandra Drake, 47, Elkhart - Dealing in methamphetamine in an amount more than 10 grams, a level 2 felony
- Heather Sloan, 31, Elkhart - Dealing in methamphetamine in an amount more than 10 grams, a level 2 felony
- James Evans, 31, Elkhart - Dealing in methamphetamine in an amount more than 10 grams, a level 2 felony
- Jorge "JJ: Fernandez, 21, Elkhart - Dealing in methamphetamine in an amount more than 10 grams, a level 2 felony