Elkhart Man Omar Loza Gets 151 Months for Cocaine Ring

Omar Loza, 33, of Elkhart, Indiana, is headed to federal prison for 151 months after being sentenced on charges of possessing with intent to distribute and distributing cocaine. The sentence, handed down by South Bend District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio, marks the end of a multi-state investigation into a trafficking network stretching from Texas to Ohio.

Loza wasn’t just a middleman—he was a key player in a sophisticated smuggling chain. Court documents show he orchestrated the shipment of cocaine from Texas directly into Elkhart, Indiana, then coordinated further transport to Columbus, Ohio. The operation moved significant quantities of the drug across state lines, fueling addiction and violence in communities along the route.

Federal prosecutors didn’t cut him slack. Assistant United States Attorney Frank E. Schaffer, who handled the case, emphasized the organized nature of Loza’s crimes. “This wasn’t casual drug use or a one-time offense,” Schaffer said in court. “This was a deliberate, ongoing distribution network that exploited transportation and communication systems to profit from addiction.”

The investigation that brought Loza down was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with critical support from the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division. Agents tracked financial flows, intercepted communications, and dismantled the logistical framework that allowed the ring to operate under the radar for months.

In addition to 12 years and 7 months behind bars, Loza will face 3 years of supervised release upon his release. Federal authorities say they’re watching for any sign of re-entry into criminal activity. “We’re not done,” said a DEA spokesperson. “Every link in these chains gets broken—one arrest at a time.”

United States Attorney David Capp reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to targeting drug traffickers operating across state lines. “When you turn cities into corridors for narcotics, you invite violence, corruption, and despair,” Capp said. “Today, we removed one architect of that system.”