NILES TOWNSHIP — Two men were arrested in Niles Township following a three-week investigation into the distribution of crystal methamphetamine.

Members of the Southwest Enforcement Team, with the assistance of Berrien County Sheriff Road Patrol, conducted an arrest operation in Niles Township on Thursday, Dec. 7.

Patric Patterson, 28 and Steven Holdeman, 30 were arrested as a result of the investigation. Detectives seized several grams of crystal methamphetamine and other items related to narcotics trafficking.  Both Patterson and Holdeman were arrested for transporting and selling crystal methamphetamine from the South Bend, Indiana area to Niles. Patterson and Holdeman also were arrested on outstanding warrants unrelated to this investigation.

Their charges are as follows in the Fifth District Court:

• Patterson, two counts of delivery of methamphetamine

• Holdeman, delivery methamphetamine and maintaining a drug vehicle

The Southwest Enforcement Team is comprised of sworn law enforcement personnel from the Michigan State Police, Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Barry County Sheriff’s Office, Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office, Kalamazoo Township Police Department, South Haven Police Department, Covert Police Department and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office.

SWET is funded in part by the Michigan HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) as well as the U.S. Department of Justice, Byrne JAG grant.