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Area drug investigators are on a roll this week with six alleged pot dealers put behind bars in the past three days.
Multi-county police units working in Nappanee confiscated $16,000 worth of marijuana in a drug raid yesterday that closed out a seven-month investigation.
A Plymouth man was arrested yesterday allegedly trying to sell cocaine to undercover officers. Marshall County Sheriff's Department, Plymouth Police Department and Kosciusko County Special Operations Team arrested the man in connection with Monday's Warsaw and Cromwell drug busts.
In Nappanee, Jose L. Rincon, 23, of 35 M-Dee Acres, was arrested for alleged dealing and possession of marijuana. Rincon was booked into Kosciusko County Jail.
A Goshen Police Department press release reports that Rincon's arrest is the result of a seven-month investigation of drug trafficking within Nappanee.
At 6 p.m. Tuesday, officers from Indiana State Police and the Goshen City Police Department arrested Rincon.
Police report more than 10 pounds of marijuana was confiscated at the Nappanee bust. Authorities estimate the pot's street value at $16,000.
In connection with the Plymouth bust, Philberto Orduno, 26, was preliminarily charged Wednesday with dealing cocaine, a Class A felony, and possession of cocaine, a Class C felony.
Authorities said Marshall County deputies arrested Orduno through an undercover operation. Deputies seized more than three grams of cocaine, $1,300 and a 1989 Ford LTD in the arrest.
Orduno's arrest is the result of a month-long, multi-county drug investigation, said Warsaw Police Department Cpl. Mike Speigle. The cooperative effort between Kosciusko County and Marshall County sheriff's departments yielded five arrests, $8,800, two cars and several pounds of marijuana.
Speigle said that Kosciusko County Special Operations Team made two prior purchases from Orduno in Kosciusko County as a part of the investigation.
Counties involved in the Multi-County Drug Task Force include: Kosciusko, Marshall, Starke, Pulaski and Jasper.
