Jennifer Moore

Three people were taken into custody Thursday afternoon at a Warsaw apartment after undercover narcotics officers received information that morphine was being sold there.

The arrests happened at about 1:30 p.m. at 163 N. 175 E. Apt. B. Upon approaching the residence, Warsaw narcotics officers spoke with a female, identified as Jennifer Moore, 25. Moore had just walked out of the apartment and attempted to conceal a pill bottle.

Officers obtained the pill bottle, which contained eight pills, identified as morphine sulfate, a Schedule II controlled substance. Moore did not have a valid prescription for the morphine pills and was taken into custody.

Officers continued the investigation inside the apartment and spoke with Leroy Houchin, 46, who lives at the apartment. Houchin admitted to providing morphine to Moore in exchange for marijuana.

Leroy Houchin

According to a press release, inside the apartment officers located marijuana paraphernalia and discovered a marijuana cultivation operation. Leroy Houchin was taken into custody and booked on a Class B felony charge of dealing in a Schedule II controlled substance. He was also charged with possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, conspiracy to commit a felony (dealing) and possession of marijuana (growing or cultivating).

Moore was also booked on the Class B felony charge of dealing in a Schedule II controlled substance and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance. Both are being held at the Kosciusko County Jail on $10,000 surety bonds.

Kari Hughes

Police also arrested, Kari Hughes, 35, of Leesburg, on an outstanding warrant for drug dealing after investigators found that she had exchanged Percocet for morphine in a transaction with Houchin earlier in the day. She was booked on the warrant and is being held with no bond.

Additional charges may be forthcoming. Warsaw Police were assisted by the Indiana State Police and the Kosciusko County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.