3 pounds of meth seized, 3 arrested following drug trafficking investigation

ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. -- Three people were arrested on Tuesday following a year-long investigation into methamphetamine trafficking in Elkhart County.

The Elkhart County Intelligence and Covert Enforcement (ICE) Unit served four search warrants in a coordinated effort with the DEA, Elkhart Police, Nappanee Police, Goshen Police, and the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department early Tuesday morning.

Three people were arrested during the operation.

Carlos Emanuel Valencia, 36, is facing preliminary charges of dealing in methamphetamine. He was arrested after investigators arranged multiple undercover drug buys from Valencia, according to the probable cause affidavit.

June 2018 - 132 grams of meth was purchased for $3,000 from Valencia

June 2018 - 119 grams of methamphetamine was purchased for $3,000 from Valencia

July 2018 - 208 grams of meth was purchased from Valencia for $3,000

October 2018 - 265 grams were purchased for $3,300 from Valencia.

Before some of the buys, Valencia stopped off at a residence on Beardsley Avenue, according to court documents.

On October 30, the Beardsley Avenue address was one of the 4 locations where search warrants were served.

Police said SWAT found Valencia inside a closet during the search. They also located a crystal-like substance with a weight of 1139 grams at the location, reports said.

Valencia received $1 million bond because he is considered a flight risk, according to court paperwork. Notes in the court record say he was found in possession of several passports and a driver's license in another name. He is also an illegal immigrant.

The second suspect who was arrested in the 4300 block of Middlebury Street, Juan Antonio Guerrero Camacho, allegedly sold 9.2 ounces of meth for $3,000 in May 2018, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Guerrero Camacho's bail was set at $500,000 for one count of dealing in methamphetamine.

A search warrant was also served at a residence in the 2300 block of Aurora Avenue in Elkhart.

SWAT made entry around 6:55 a.m. after no one answered the door to the home.

While searching the home, they found a rock-like substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine in a safe. The substance had a weight of 174 grams, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Police also seized approximately 2 grams of marijuana in the home, reports said.

There were three minor children in the home at the time the search warrant was served. They were released to her mother, reports said.

Miranda Ragsdale, 26, is facing a charge of dealing in methamphetamine and three counts of neglect of a dependent. Her bond was set at $250,000.

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