Man Facing Money Laundering Charge Also Allegedly Admitted To Drug Activity
February 10, 2025 at 5:16 p.m.
The Warsaw man arrested Feb. 4 with drugs and a large amount of money in his vehicle allegedly admitted to doing illicit drug money transactions for a “friend” he believed was a cartel member.
Luis Alberto Lara-Macias, 35, is charged with dealing in cocaine more than 10 grams, level 2 felony; possession of cocaine, a level 3 felony; neglect of a dependent, a level 6 felony; money laundering, a level 6 felony; and maintaining a common nuisance, a level 6 felony.
He was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail at 11:10 p.m. Feb. 4 with a $25,250 preliminary bond under an address of 235 N. Jefferson St., Silver Lake. However, court documents list his address as 1776 E. CR 300N, Warsaw.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on Feb. 4 Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officers and Indiana State Police troopers were conducting surveillance for a criminal investigation for money laundering and distribution of illegal drugs or narcotics. Officers had developed information that an illicit currency exchange would occur on Feb. 4.
During the investigation, officers identified a white Dodge truck driven by a man, later identified as Lara-Macias, and conducted surveillance on the vehicle. An ISP trooper saw Lara-Macias exceed the posted speed limit and the trooper conducted a traffic stop in the area of CR 1350N. The trooper identified Lara-Macias and noticed Lara-Macias’ license was suspended. Two officers arrived at the stop along with a trooper and K9 unit.
The trooper used the K9 to conduct a free outer air search around the vehicle and the K9 made a positive alert.
A detective advised Lara-Macias of his Miranda rights. Lara-Macias admitted he had about $50,000 to $60,000 in the vehicle. Lara-Macias said he believed the money was from drugs. He admitted he purchased cocaine for “friends” recently and he had performed illicit drug money transactions for them on three occasions since January. Lara-Macias said he believes his friend is a cartel member, according to court documents.
Officers obtained consent to search Lara-Macias’ cell phone and found a drug conversation that included amounts of money to be delivered and different types of drugs to be bought. There were references to marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine.
Officers searched the vehicle and found a yellow-colored plastic shopping bag in the center console containing a large amount of U.S. currency wrapped with orange rubber bands.
Officers obtained a search warrant for Lara-Macias’ residence. On Wednesday, Feb. 5, officers went to the residence and knocked on the door. Officers could see a woman. Officers continued to knock on the door and after several attempts to get the woman to open the door she would not comply. The door was then forced open.
Officers identified one woman and three children in the residence.
During the search, officers found 3.1 ounces of cocaine, drug paraphernalia and $3,684. Some of the drugs were found in a bedroom where one of the children was sleeping.
The Warsaw man arrested Feb. 4 with drugs and a large amount of money in his vehicle allegedly admitted to doing illicit drug money transactions for a “friend” he believed was a cartel member.
Luis Alberto Lara-Macias, 35, is charged with dealing in cocaine more than 10 grams, level 2 felony; possession of cocaine, a level 3 felony; neglect of a dependent, a level 6 felony; money laundering, a level 6 felony; and maintaining a common nuisance, a level 6 felony.
He was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail at 11:10 p.m. Feb. 4 with a $25,250 preliminary bond under an address of 235 N. Jefferson St., Silver Lake. However, court documents list his address as 1776 E. CR 300N, Warsaw.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on Feb. 4 Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officers and Indiana State Police troopers were conducting surveillance for a criminal investigation for money laundering and distribution of illegal drugs or narcotics. Officers had developed information that an illicit currency exchange would occur on Feb. 4.
During the investigation, officers identified a white Dodge truck driven by a man, later identified as Lara-Macias, and conducted surveillance on the vehicle. An ISP trooper saw Lara-Macias exceed the posted speed limit and the trooper conducted a traffic stop in the area of CR 1350N. The trooper identified Lara-Macias and noticed Lara-Macias’ license was suspended. Two officers arrived at the stop along with a trooper and K9 unit.
The trooper used the K9 to conduct a free outer air search around the vehicle and the K9 made a positive alert.
A detective advised Lara-Macias of his Miranda rights. Lara-Macias admitted he had about $50,000 to $60,000 in the vehicle. Lara-Macias said he believed the money was from drugs. He admitted he purchased cocaine for “friends” recently and he had performed illicit drug money transactions for them on three occasions since January. Lara-Macias said he believes his friend is a cartel member, according to court documents.
Officers obtained consent to search Lara-Macias’ cell phone and found a drug conversation that included amounts of money to be delivered and different types of drugs to be bought. There were references to marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine.
Officers searched the vehicle and found a yellow-colored plastic shopping bag in the center console containing a large amount of U.S. currency wrapped with orange rubber bands.
Officers obtained a search warrant for Lara-Macias’ residence. On Wednesday, Feb. 5, officers went to the residence and knocked on the door. Officers could see a woman. Officers continued to knock on the door and after several attempts to get the woman to open the door she would not comply. The door was then forced open.
Officers identified one woman and three children in the residence.
During the search, officers found 3.1 ounces of cocaine, drug paraphernalia and $3,684. Some of the drugs were found in a bedroom where one of the children was sleeping.