A local drug bust operation at four locations simultaneously Tuesday morning prevented a great deal of methamphetamine from being sold in the area.
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. The four locations were:
617 W. Grand Avenue
733 Merrill Street
1426 Pawnee Avenue
1719 Beach Street
As a result of these search warrants, nine individuals were arrested, including suspects who resided at each of the target locations.
During the execution of the search warrants, the following individuals were located and arrested on suspicion of various drug crimes.
Arthur A. Strickland, 30, 617 W. Grand Avenue, arrested on suspicion of the following.
Possession of Methamphetamine
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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.
This police investigation is ongoing. If you have any information concerning this event, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS, text SATIPS to CRIMES (274637, or visit www.pd.salina.org and follow the Crimestoppers link to submit a web tip. You may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000 and you are not required to give your name.