Update: Drug raids underway in Johnson County, Edinburgh; authorities release photos of suspects

More than 100 police officers have spread across the community today to search for more than 40 suspected drug dealers who are wanted to face mostly felony charges.

The 43 men and women, who are mostly Johnson County residents, have been charged with dealing methamphetamine or heroin as a result of a six-month investigation by Franklin police detectives.

Police made arrests in Edinburgh this morning

By 2 p.m. today, 28 of the 43 suspects had been taken into custody.

After two people were located in a room at the Tearman Motel on the southside of Franklin, police got a search warrant to comb through the room for more evidence. Detectives found 57 grams of methamphetamine worth about $5,700, Franklin Police Deputy Chief Chris Tennell said.

Drug raid suspects in Johnson County
Source: Johnson County Prosecutor’s Office

Suspects Charles Munn Jr. was already wanted on a charge of dealing methamphetamine but has been arrested on additional charges of dealing methamphetamine, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of a syringe, paraphernalia and illegal possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, Tennell said. A woman in the room was arrested on charges of dealing methamphetamine, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of a syringe and paraphernalia.

Police went to homes, a mobile home community and even an airport to find the suspects. Officers waited at the Indianapolis International Airport and arrested Dylan Whittemore, 22, when his flight arrived on Tuesday afternoon, Tennell said. Whittemore has been charged with two felonies for dealing in a narcotic drug.

The Johnson County Prosecutor’s Office has already filed charges against the suspects, but the court documents were kept private until they are arrested due to the safety of the police officers serving the warrants, according to a news release.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, the Indiana State Police, the Edinburgh Police Department, the New Whiteland Police Department, Trafalgar Police Department and the U.S. Marshall’s Service are also involved in serving the search warrants, Tennell said.

The sweep began early this morning. A news conference is scheduled for this afternoon.