The Elkhart County Interdiction and Covert Enforcement Unit (ICE) is comprised of officers from the Elkhart County Sheriff's Department, the Goshen Police Department and the Nappanee Police Department“Under Indiana law, all persons arrested for a criminal offense are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law”*** MEDIA ADVISORY ***                                        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEI.C.E. UNIT LEADS 50+ LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ON RAID LEADING TO MAJOR SEIZURE OF A LARGE AMOUNT OF MEXICAN METHAMPHETAMINE  MEDIA CONTACT:  Bill Wargo, 296-1888The Elkhart County I.C.E. Unit dealt a significant blow to the distribution of Mexican Methamphetamine and Cocaine in Elkhart County.In the late Fall of 2008 I.C.E. gathered reliable intelligence that indicated Mexican Organized Crime was going to make a new run at introducing high grade-low priced Mexican methamphetamine into Elkhart County. Due to a number of ICE investigations and arrests, “Mexican Methamphetamine” had become much less available. The per pound price for this high grade contraband had climbed from $4500 per pound to $17,500 a pound by the Fall of 2007.  New information being gathered indicated a current wholesale price point of approximately $13,000 per pound had been established.  Over the course of several months the I.C.E. unit launched an investigation through surveillance, interdiction and undercover activity. The investigation was brought to a successful conclusion this week with the assistance of the Indiana State Police, the Elkhart County Sheriff's Department, the Goshen Police Department and the Nappanee Police Department. On Monday January 26 at approximately 8:45pm I.C.E. unit officers arrested Edgar Humberto Reyes, age 24 of Reyes has been formally charged with 2 Counts of Delivery of Cocaine over 3 grams, 2 Counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine over 3 grams and Possession with Intent to Deliver Cocaine over 3 grams and Deliver of Marijuana over 30 grams. He faces up to 250 years in prison on the 5 Class A Felony charges. During the investigation I.C.E. unit officers seized 114.6 grams of suspected cocaine, 287.3 grams of suspected methamphetamine and 231.28 grams of marijuana. This contraband has an estimated potential street value of over $40,000.  His bond has been set at $400,000. On Thursday, January 29 the Elkhart County I.C.E. Unit, with the assistance of Emergency Response Teams from the Indiana State Police, the Elkhart County Sheriff's Department and the Goshen Police Department simultaneously served three high risk search warrants and made two arrests.   Arrested in the parking lot of Ricky’s Taqueria, 57995 CR 9, Elkhart by I.C.E. officers and Elkhart County Sheriff's Department ERT and Indiana State Police officers, was Miguel Esqueda, age 29, of 64245 CR 31, Elkhart. The Indiana State Police helicopter was used for surveillance and to assist in this arrest. Esqueda was taken to the Elkhart County Jail and booked on a preliminary charge of Possession with Intent to Deliver over 3 grams of Cocaine and Possession with Intent to Deliver over 3 grams of Methamphetamine. Additional charges against Esqueda are being reviewed. During the investigation into Esqueda I.C.E. unit officers have seized approximately 454 grams of suspected cocaine and approximately 113 grams of suspected methamphetamine. The estimated potential street value of this contraband is approximately $57,000. Esqueda may also be charged with 11 other Class A felonies, each with a potential sentence of 50 years, as a result of this investigation. At the same time that Esqueda was being arrested a search warrant was served at Cordona’s Western Wear store at The Goshen Police Department ERT also served a search warrant at   The Indiana State Police ERT served their search warrant at 25062 CR 22. Elkhart. As a result of the search at this location I.C.E. unit officers found approximately 8,172.2 grams (approximately 18 pounds). of “ice”. “Ice” is the highest grade of Mexican Methamphetamine. The potency of the “ice” along with the cutting agent that was found with the contraband could potentially convert this substance to approximately 36 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated potential street value of $1,647,360. The suspected methamphetamine was found concealed in a hidden compartment inside of a dog house in the garage. There was a large dog in the dog house and once the animal was removed the hidden compartment was located. Inside of the garage and the residence the officers also found items associated with the distribution of illegal drugs; scales, baggies, cutting agents, ledgers and approximately $20,000 in cash. The officers also found a loaded .40 cal Glock handgun. The officers also found approximately 400.5 grams of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of approximately $40,000. The officers also found three small children to be living in the home with their mother, Lorena Rojas. Arrested at this location was Oswaldo Quizaman, age 29, 25062 CR#22, Elkhart. He has been booked for two Class A felonies of Delivery of Methamphetamine over 3 grams and Possession with Intent to Deliver over 3 grams of Methamphetamine. Both charges are Class A felonies which carry a combined sentence of up to 100 years. Officers have also seized 4 vehicles as part of this investigation and will seek forfeiture on those vehicles.   This investigation was a strong cooperative effort involving the Indiana State Police, the Elkhart County Sheriff's Department, the Goshen Police Department and the Nappanee Police Department. The contraband removed from the streets of this community will have a major positive impact. This investigation is ongoing and it is anticipated that other arrests may occur.  ***1633 Tippecanoe Drivein the City of Goshen. No one was home at this address. Officers seized a handgun. 416 N. Main St., Goshen. This search warrant was served by Goshen Police Department ERT officers and Investigators with the Elkhart County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. The owner, Valentin Cordona was present during the search. Business records were removed from this property as part of this investigation. 104 Prospect Ave.in Goshen. He was arrested at the intersection of El Reno and Pennsylvania Ave in the City of Elkhart. At the time of Reyes arrest he was found to be in possession of approximately 85.8 grams of purported cocaine. Reyes also had $3274 in cash on him. The estimated street value of the purported cocaine is approximately $8500.