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Meth bust biggest in Shannon Hills ever |
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Wednesday, 16 July 2008 |
Woman arrested with nearly 6 pounds of ‘ice’
The Alexander and Shannon Hills police departments joined forces on Tuesday to make one of the biggest drug busts in Saline County history.
Officers seized 5 1/2 pounds of “ice” methamphetamine with a street value of $125,000, two vehicles, $9,131 in cash and electronics and sent a suspected illegal immigrant to the Saline County jail.
“As far our area is concerned, this the biggest drug bust in our history,” interim Shannon Hills Police Chief Jeff King said. “I was surprised at how smoothly the bust went, too ... Nobody was hurt.”
Alexander Assistant Police Chief Tommy Leath said an informant told him there was a large amount of methamphetamine going in and out of a house at 1015 Clinton Court in the Carrington Hills subdivision. Officers began watching the home nearly a month ago and on Tuesday Leath requested a search warrant. That is when Leath called the Shannon Hills Police Department because of the home being in that city’s jurisdiction.
“Tommy [Leath] called me and said, ‘Hey, I think we have enough to get a warrant,’” King said. “So, we got the warrant signed, executed it around 4 p.m. and found the drugs.”
Inside the home, officers found Carmen Acosta, 22, who is believed to be an illegal immigrant. Police are looking for the home owner and two others possibly involved in the drug operation. Both Leath and King said there was also evidence of children living in the home, but none were present at the time the home was entered.
“The cash was actually found in what looked like a baby’s bedroom,” Leath said. “The woman wouldn’t really comment on anything and basically said she didn’t know anything and that she only lived there a month.”
King said he was most disappointed that children were possibly living there and the home was near several other homes where there are children.
“When we actually left the home, there were kids in the neighborhood jumping on their trampolines,” King said. “These people involved in the drug trade, they don’t care who they hurt. They don’t care about their own kids, so they sure don’t care about anyone else’s kids.”
A further search revealed a Toyota mini-van in the garage and officers said 5 1/2 pounds of ice were concealed in the vehicle’s roof. A set of scales and baggies also were found.
Along with the mini-van, police said they seized a Chrysler 300 and various electronic devices believed to have been purchased with illegal drug money.
Acosta was taken to the Saline County jail and charged with possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia and maintaining a drug premises. Officials with the Saline County jail said Acosta is expected to appear at 11 a.m. today before Saline County District Judge Mike Robinson.
A $10,000 bond was set for Acosta. However, officials said she will not be allowed to make bail because she is expected to be interviewed by officials with the Immigration and Naturalization Service for possible deportation.
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