Police: Repeat offender arrested on drug charges

A Lorain man who was free on bond on three separate felony cases was arrested again April 5 following the execution of drugrelated search and arrest warrants, according to Lorain police Sgt. Tom Nimon.

Manuel J. Latorre, 26, of 2505 E. 33rd St., was charged with trafficking and possession of heroin and fentanyl, possession of marijuana and having weapons under disability.

Nimon said the marijuana charge was upgraded to a felony because of the amount of the illegal substance discovered in the home.

Around 7 a.m., members of the Lorain Police Department’s Narcotics Unit and SWAT Team executed a search warrant at the 33rd Street residence. The search warrant, as well as the arrest warrants, were the result of a month-long investigation headed by Detective Chris Colon.

Upon gaining entry, officers located Latorre and his mother, 45-year-old Alicia Ralat, Nimon said.

Ralat was arrested on a warrant for permitting drug abuse.

Evidence confiscated from the home included 2 grams of heroin/fentanyl, 2 pounds of marijuana, a loaded 9 mm handgun, $3,500 in cash, scales, presses and other paraphernalia indicative of drug trafficking, Nimon said.

Lorain County Common Pleas Court records show Latorre has three open felony cases from 2016.

A felony trafficking in heroin charge from January 2016, a felonious assault charge from June 2016 and a felony participating in a criminal gang charge from June 2016 are pending cases where Latorre was granted bond.

“Obviously, he’s not being a productive member of society and is taking advantage of the judges’ kindness,” Nimon said. “When we were leaving, we were approached by four different residents in the area of that surrounding block who thanked us because that house has apparently been a detriment to the neighborhood for the last couple of months.”

Latorre is set to appear April 10 in Common Pleas court for all three pending cases, according to records.

Lorain City Jail officials indicated both Latorre and Ratal will appear April 6 in Lorain Municipal Court.