COLUMBUS, Ind. — Three people were arrested by SWAT officers Monday as a result of a long-term drug dealing investigation by the Bartholomew County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team.
The Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (JNET) had received several tips and leads that Robert L. Shutters, 51, of Columbus and Richard L. Spray, 59, of Columbus were dealing illegal narcotics out of their home, Columbus police said.
As a result of the investigation, JNET was able to obtain a search warrant for Shutters’ and Spray’s residence located at 2272 Indiana Ave. in Columbus. The search warrant was executed by the Columbus Police Department SWAT Team which is comprised of law enforcement officers from the Columbus Police Department as well as the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office.
The search warrant netted a large seizure of methamphetamine, almost a quarter pound in total. Packaging material, digital scales, fentanyl and a large amount of drug paraphernalia was also located in the residence.
Robert Shutters, Richard Spray, and Cheri Foley, 45, of Columbus who was also staying at the residence were placed under arrest at the conclusion of the investigation and transported to the Bartholomew County Jail where they were remanded on the preliminary charges listed below:
Robert Shutters: Dealing in Methamphetamine (Level 3 Felony), Dealing Methamphetamine (Level 4 Felony x2), Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Possession of a Narcotic Drug, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Paraphernalia.
Richard Spray: Dealing in Methamphetamine (Level 2 Felony), Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 3 Felony), Maintaining a Common Nuisance, and Possession of Paraphernalia.
Cheri Foley: Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Visiting a Common Nuisance, Possession of Paraphernalia.
The investigation into the sale of illegal drugs in Columbus and Bartholomew County continues and additional charges are possible in this ongoing investigation.
