Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Six people were arrested in two drug investigations, one Wednesday and one this morning.
In Wednesday afternoon's arrests, officials believe they apprehended a "major dealer" of cocaine in Kosciusko, Noble and Wabash counties.
A spokesman for the Kosciusko County Drug Task Force said there are multiple cases against Jorge Lopez, 27, of Ligonier, from whom several drug purchases were made during a monthlong investigation.
Lopez was charged with two counts each of dealing cocaine, a Class A felony, and possession of cocaine, a Class C felony.
Also arrested was Lopez's brother, Julio Lopez, 19, of Ligonier. The younger Lopez is charged with one count of dealing cocaine, a Class A felony, and one count of possession of cocaine, a Class C felony. Police said this was the first encounter they had with Julio Lopez.
The arrests took place at the Shell Station in Pierceton, where a pre-arranged meeting was carried out.
The drug investigation was a cooperative effort among Indiana State Police, Image Drug Task Force of Northeast Indiana and the Kosciusko County Drug Task Force.
Further investigation is being conducted by the KCDTF and Immigration and Naturalization Service. The citizenship status of the Lopez brothers is not known at this time, police said.
Additional charges are being pursued against both suspects and other known associates in the Noble County area for dealing in cocaine.
Also assisting at the scene of the arrests were officers from Pierceton and Warsaw police departments.
In this morning's drug arrests, four people were arrested at the site of an alleged methamphetamine laboratory in Syracuse when police arrived there to serve a search warrant. Tips from citizens about possible illegal drug activity resulted in the investigation at the home at 1037 N. Mullen St., Syracuse.
Arrested were:
• William S. Saunders, 36, and Blaine A. Sawyer, 35, both of the Mullen Street address, each charged with dealing/manufacturing a controlled substance, a Class B felony, and maintaining a common nuisance, a Class D felony.
• Tim Shear, 40, of 11821 N. Syracuse-Webster Road, Syracuse, and Adrienne L. Weber, 23, Goshen, each charged with visiting a common nuisance, a Class B misdemeanor.
Today's drug arrests were the outcome of a monthlong investigation by the KCDTF and Syracuse Police Department.
Both of these drug investigations are a continuing effort among police agencies to stop the flow of illegal drugs in the Kosciusko County area.
Police continue to need the assistance of citizens to provide tips to make these arrests possible.
Anyone with information about illegal drug activity can call the Kosciusko County Drug Task Force at 372-2494, the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department at 267-5667 or any law enforcement agency.
