COLUMBUS, Ind. — The local Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (JNET) served search warrants on a recreational vehicle at 608 Jewell St. and later at 2401 Sixth St. in Columbus, resulting in six arrests and the discovery of an active methamphetamine lab.
JNET served the warrants at 9:52 p.m. Monday, the result of two separate long-term investigations, said Bartholomew County Sheriff Detective Dane Duke.
The Columbus Police Department SWAT Team, which is made up Columbus Police Department officers as well as deputies from the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, served the warrant warrant on Jewell Street and located large amounts of suspected methamphetamine, marijuana, a semi-automatic handgun as well as an active clandestine methamphetamine lab, Duke said.
After the discovery of the active methamphetamine lab, JNET requested the assistance of the Indiana State Police Meth Suppression Team from Versailles. The ISP Meth Suppression Team is a specialized unit that investigates violations and assists with proper disposal of suspected methamphetamine labs.
On Jewell Street, the following individuals were arrested:
Edwin Newland, 44, Columbus, dealing in methamphetamine, a Level 2 felony, manufacturing methamphetamine, a Level 2 felony, possession of methamphetamine, a Level 3 felony and maintaining a common nuisance, Level 6 felony.
- Richard Vestal, 41, Columbus, visiting a common nuisance.
- Michelle Sanford, 32, Columbus, visiting a common nuisance.
- Mandy Dowden, 30, Columbus, visiting a common nuisance.
Columbus police officers executed the search warrant on 2401 Sixth St., where they located more than 20 grams of suspected methamphetamine and greater than 20 grams of various opioid drugs and marijuana, Duke said.
Individuals arrested at the Sixth Street address were:
- Ricky Walker, 58, Columbus, dealing in methamphetamine, a Level 2 felony, possession of methamphetamine, a Level 4 felony, dealing in narcotic drug, a Level 2 felony, possession of narcotic drug, a Level 4 felony and maintaining a common nuisance, a Level 6 felony
- Amanda Jo Williams, 34, Columbus, visiting a common nuisance.
