Drug Suspect Nabbed

MILFORD - All was quiet Wednesday on Smith Street in Milford until shortly before noon, when an undercover agent purchased cocaine from a man police believe is bringing large amounts of cocaine into the area on a weekly basis.

Within 15 minutes, nearly half a dozen police officers were in the home of Roberto Villa, where he and another man were taken into custody on drug charges. Two children in the home were turned over to the welfare department.

Authorities said they have been working toward arresting Villa for more than a year and previously made four cocaine purchases from him, each more than 3 grams.

"He is 'the guy' in Kosciusko County," said an undercover officer with the Kosciusko County Special Operations Team. "There's never a problem making a buy. He always has whatever we want, whenever we want it."

Wednesday's buy netted about a quarter ounce (7 grams) of cocaine for $440.

After arresting Villa, 24, and Fernando Ramos, 17, of 1314 St. Mary's Drive, Winona Lake, police executed a search warrant of the premises and located another 3 grams of cocaine as well as $6,000 in cash. Police believe that Villa regularly brings in cocaine from the Chicago area. He gave booking officers an address in Aurora, Ill., and claims he doesn't live at the Milford address near the intersection of Smith and James streets.

An infant girl and a preschool-age boy were taken into protective custody until the children's mother could be located. Police said an odor of marijuana smoke was detected in the home, indicating that someone recently smoked the controlled substance.

Villa was charged with dealing cocaine, a Class A felony, and possession of cocaine, a Class C felony, and is being held without bond in the Kosciusko County Jail. Additional charges from the prior contacts will be filed.

Ramos was charged with possession of marijuana and visiting a common nuisance, both misdemeanors, and also is being held without bond. He was out on bond from a Sept. 15 arrest for cocaine and marijuana possession at the Hampton Inn in Warsaw, where he reportedly got into a scuffle with police and was also charged with resisting arrest.

Additional arrests of suspects related to the investigation resulting in Thursday's arrests are expected.