Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Earlier this week, 17 were arrested in relation to the distribution of methamphetamine in western Nebraska and eastern Colorado. These arrests occurred in Ogallala, Brule and nearby cities.
More than three pounds of methamphetamine and $8,000 in cash were seized in connection with this investigation.
Most of those arrested were residents of the Ogallala area, said John Higgins, Drug Enforcement/Asset Forfeitures Chief with the U.S. attorney's office in Nebraska.
Although none of those arrested were Sidney area residents, the Western Nebraska Intelligence and Narcotics Group task force, of which some local law enforcement officers are members, was involved in the sting. Cheyenne County attorneys also provided some help to the investigation.
"We coordinated with Cheyenne County attorneys," Higgins said. "We're real grateful for their cooperation and assistance."
Higgins said he could not comment on how Cheyenne County attorneys assisted in the investigation.
Coordination between all the entities involved in the sting was key to its success, Higgins said. All of the arrests in this bust are connected, he added.
"They're all related to the same investigation," Higgins said.
The street value of the methamphetamine recovered would depend on how it is sold, according to WING task force commander Sgt. Dana Korell.
The value could be anywhere between $50,000 to $75,000, he estimated.
Those arrested were Luis Enrique Miramontes-Arteaga, Andres Barruza, J. Merced Rodriguez Barajas, Ruben Avila Barraza, Jesus German-Diaz, Johnny Martinez, Anisha Martinez, Anthony Weinrich, Mark Piper, Jacklynn Walker, Darren Relerford, Chris Hackbart, Bobby Griffin, Kirsten Griffin, Sharon Kay Tyler, Minnie Beth Donner and Linda Breese.
These arrests are the culmination of a long running investigation involving many local police forces, county sheriff's offices, the state patrol and the FBI. Those involved in this area include the WING task force, the Cheyenne County attorney's office and the Deuel County Sheriff's office.
"This was a large scale drug trafficking organization," Higgins said.
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