Extensive investigation leads to arrest of local man by Central Illinois Drug Task Force

By Gary Scott on February 9, 2018 at 11:24am

An extensive drug investigation dating back to February of last year resulted in the arrest of a Jacksonville man on several alleged drug-related charges.

Thirty-five year old Ricardo Perez, of the 100 block of Loren, was booked at the county jail at around 11:30 last night on three counts each of methamphetamine delivery and manufacturing or delivery of controlled substances. According to reports from the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, Perez was arrested by members of the Illinois State Police’s Central Illinois Enforcement Group, or CIEG Unit, during the course of a traffic stop last night.

A member of the ISP’s CIEG Unit says the drug task force made a number of drug purchases known as “controlled buys” from Perez by utilizing a confidential informant equipped with various recording devices. The controlled buys, according to the CIEG Unit, were for methamphetamine and various controlled substances such as crystal meth, cocaine and prescription medication.

Law enforcement officers located Perez in the passenger seat of vehicle that had been pulled over for a traffic stop yesterday night, at which time the suspect was taken into custody for the alleged crimes dating back to February of 2017.

According to authorities, Perez remains in custody at the Morgan County Detention Facility and is currently waiting for his bond to be set, which the sheriff’s department says could come at some point this afternoon.