SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating nine suspects after a Tuesday drug bust at four locations simultaneously in Salina.
Since mid-2019, the Salina/Saline County I-135/I-70 Drug Task Force has been investigating a group of individuals who have been distributing methamphetamine in Salina and the surrounding area. The investigation revealed that several individuals were operating from multiple residences inside Salina, and were engaged in an ongoing narcotics distribution operation.
On Tuesday at approximately 9 a.m., four drug search warrants were served simultaneously in Salina including 617 W. Grand Avenue, 733 Merrill Street, 1426 Pawnee Avenue and 1719 Beach Street, according to a media release.
As a result of these search warrants, police arrested nine people including suspects who resided at each of the target locations.
Kennard L. Canada Jr., 59, 617 W. Grand Avenue, arrested on suspicion of the following. Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Felony Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Tax Stamp Violation and Criminal Possession of a Firearm.
Michael J. Thompson, 42, 733 Merrill Street, arrested on suspicion of the following. Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Methamphetamine, Felony Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Tax Stamp Violation and Mitchell County District Court warrant/Distribution of Methamphetamine
Darin D. Ames, 58, 1719 Beach Street, arrested on suspicion of the following Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Felony Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and a Tax Stamp Violation
Patrick T. Yonemura, Jr., 39, 1426 Pawnee Avenue, arrested on suspicion of the following., Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Methamphetamine, Felony Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and a Tax Stamp Violation
Summer D. Duncan, 1426 Pawnee Avenue, arrested on suspicion of the following Salina Municipal Court / Failure to Appear, Saline County District Court / Probation Violation (two times) and Geary County District Court / Failure to Appear
Thomas M. Vargas II, 49, 918 N.11th Street, arrested on suspicion of the following. Possession of Methamphetamine, No Kansas Drug Tax Stamp and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Patricia A. Purcell, 28, 1018 N. 8th, arrested on suspicion of the following., Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Lacey M. Nunnally, 20, homeless in Salina, arrested on suspicion of the following., Saline County District Court / Failure to Appear, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
During the service of these search warrants, the Drug Task Force recovered approximately one and one-half pounds of methamphetamine, more than $2,500 in currency, and one firearm. In addition, three vehicles were seized after the Salina Police Department's K-9s indicated on the presence of an odor of illegal narcotics emanating from within each vehicle. The search of each vehicle is pending a search warrant request made to the Saline County District Court.
The Salina Police Department would like to thank the Kansas Highway Patrol Special Response Team for assisting our SPD SWAT Team in executing these four drug search warrants. Additionally, the Salina Police Department would like to thank the Saline County Sheriff’s Office and the Dickinson County Drug Enforcement Unit for their assistance during this investigation.