LAKE COUNTY, INDIANA – Two separate law enforcement operations in Lake County led to the seizure of large quantities of illegal drugs and firearms, resulting in the arrest of two men, authorities confirmed.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Drug Task Force carried out coordinated raids Friday in Gary and Lowell following ongoing investigations into suspected drug activity.
In Gary, officers arrested Charles Trotter, 44, a convicted felon accused of selling cocaine near 21st Century School. Investigators allege the transactions occurred within approximately 200 feet of the school property. Trotter now faces multiple felony charges, including possession of narcotics with intent to distribute, along with weapons-related offenses.
A SWAT team executed a search warrant at a residence in the 800 block of Adams Street. During the search, authorities reported recovering:
- 98 grams of cocaine
- 47 grams of heroin
- 1.5 grams of fentanyl
- 8 grams of marijuana
- Seven firearms
In a separate operation in Lowell, deputies searched a home in the 16600 block of Morse Street. During that search, officers reportedly found:
- 13.7 grams of cocaine
- 58 grams of THC products
- Fifteen firearms, including one reported stolen from Cedar Lake
William J. Elliott, 58, was arrested in connection with the Lowell investigation and is facing drug and firearm-related charges.
In total, the two operations resulted in the confiscation of more than 110 grams of cocaine, 47 grams of heroin, and 22 guns. Authorities stated that the investigations remain ongoing.
