F/Lt. Jeff Anthony, Post Commander, West Branch

F/Lt. Robert Lesneski, Post Commander, East Tawas

Identify drug houses in the STING area and individuals or organizations that maintain, operate or occupy them.

informants developed.

we have increased the amount of drugs seized from targeted individuals/organizations.

Reduction in Drug Overdoses

number of physicians/pharmacists /practitioners identified corroborating illegal distribution.

increased the number of citizen contacts for prevention/awareness.

Reduce the amount of crime associated with drug abuse and trafficking in the entire STING area.

Identify Organizations, Groups, and/or Individuals from Flint responsible for cocaine supply/distribution in the STING area.

of organizations/persons identified.

Identify and reduce illegal source(s) of prescription drug suppliers within the STING area.

offered information and raised awareness through meetings with local citizen contacts and groups.

Roscommon County, Richfield Township

January 21st – STING had arranged an undercover buy for 30 Ecstasy pills for $600. Near the end of the buy, STING along with Denton PD, MSP & Roscommon County SD made contact with the subjects involved.  Contact was made with the three suspects and officers were advised that the female had pills down her pants. All three suspects were arrested.  Seizures include: $85, another 30 Ecstasy pills and a 1996 Chevy pick up truck.

Roscommon County, Roscommon Township

January 26th – A CI contacted STING stating that arrangements have been made for the CI and the U/C officer to purchase 8 Morphine pills for $180. A second buy on this case was arranged for January 28th – where the CI and the U/C officer purchased 5 Morphine pills for $100. Different case, same suspect. February 3rd – STING was contacted by a suspect who advised that they had Morphine pills. First buy took place across the street from the Houghton Lake Post. STING officers purchased 9 Morphine pills for $150.

February 26th – A second buy was set up by STING officers to purchase 8 Morphine pills for $200.  Suspect was arrested in May. In June, while waiting for court, STING received notice that the suspect waived to Circuit Court and dropped the STING charge because the suspect pled to Manslaughter; which he/she was sentenced to 5 – 15 years for the overdose death case.

Arenac County, Standish

March 12th – STING officers received a request from the West Branch Post to assist with a drug trafficking problem in the City of Standish.  STING officers went to the Town Inn to get a room and made conversation with the suspect behind the counter. The suspect advised them of the room charge and mentioned that there were some bars and a casino a few miles away. Officers asked if he/she knew of anyone that could “hook them up”. The suspect asked what they were looking for, officers responded, and the suspect asked for $60 for a quarter. The suspect had to go and get the Marijuana from another location and he/she gave the officers a joint to “get them started”.

Officers went to their room and after about 30 minutes the suspect returned, knocked on the door stating “room service”. The suspect had 2 blankets and a white towel. He/she asked if someone had ordered a “hot steamy towel fresh out of the dryer”. He/she lifted the towel and uncovered a bag of Marijuana.  STING officers identified themselves at this time. The U/C’s along with other officers talked to the suspect who advised that he/she wished to cooperate. The suspect handed over more Marijuana and pointed out known drug dealers.

Seizures: 8 grams Marijuana and 1 Marijuana joint The suspect was arrested on other charges and advised of STING warrants while lodged.

Roscommon County, Denton Township

April 1st – STING received information that a business owner was selling Marijuana out of his/her business.  A U/C buy was arranged for 7 grams of Marijuana. April 9th – A second U/C buy was arranged for another 7 grams of Marijuana.  A search warrant was drafted and executed on Sound Waves Car Audio & Performance. STING along with Denton PD seized: 223.9 grams of Marijuana, a pistol, a rifle, $2,314, a 1998 Ford Expedition, sound equipment, tools and a rolling tool chest.  The suspect was arrested for Del/Man Marijuana and Maintaining a Drug House.

Crawford County, Grayling Township

April 13th – A U/C, CI buy was arranged to buy 10 Ecstasy pills for $200 from the suspects residence.  May 6th – A CI buy was set up to buy 2.2 grams of Cocaine for $200. The suspect was arrested for Delivery and a search warrant was executed. The suspect was sentenced to 2 to 20 years.

Iosco County, Tawas City

April 24th & 25th – STING was contacted by Oscoda Township PD regarding a prescription fraud complaint that they had taken. The suspect is using a fraudulent prescription to obtain Methadone Hydrochloride pills.

During the investigation, it was found that the Tawas Police also had begun an investigation on the same suspect for 2 fraudulent prescriptions for Methadone and Xanax pills.  Officers also learned during this time that the suspect also used a fraudulent prescription to obtain Vicodin pills.

A MAPS request was done on the suspect and it shows the prescriptions filled and 2 of the places.  A search warrant was obtained and executed. The suspect was arrested on the 8 count felony warrant. A second suspect was named at this time. After a short chase, and tossing the evidence out the window, the second suspect was arrested. This suspect ran because he/she was on parole. A search of the vehicle was conducted and 100 pills were located under a seat. The pills that were tossed out were also located.

Ogemaw County, Mills Township

June 5th – Information was received and a search warrant was executed on 2 residences in Mills Township.  The occupants of the homes are convicted felons. With the help of the ES Team, officers forced entry into both homes.

The felons were located and the following was seized: 21 guns, 55.7 grams Marijuana, 3 Marijuana Plants, 20 Alprazolam pills and ammunition.  The 2 felons were arrested and 1 person was arrested for POM.

Iosco County, Oscoda Township

July 30th – STING was contacted by a CI that could buy Crack Cocaine and Morphine pills. A buy was set up and the CI purchased .3 grams of Crack Cocaine and 2 Morphine pills.  September 16th – A second buy was arranged and the CI purchased .3 grams of Crack Cocaine and 1Morphine pill.  October 20th – A third buy way arranged and the CI bought 1.5 grams of Crack Cocaine and 7 Morphine pills. A search warrant was prepared, authorized and executed on the residence. STING along with MSP from East Tawas and Oscoda Township PD located 4 people upon entry. Officers seized 17.7 grams Crack Cocaine, $1,100, 1999 Ford Truck, 37 Morphine pills, .7 grams Marijuana and 67 miscellaneous pills.

One suspect was arrested in February for maintaining a drug house and the other suspect was arrested on

8 counts on March 14th.

Iosco County, Oscoda Township

August 11th – STING personnel were requested to assist Oscoda Township Police Department in locating a suspect wanted for stolen property. Surveillance was done, information was gathered and a search warrant was executed at the residence.

Officers located and arrested the wanted subject and served the warrant. Items were found. Lake County

Sheriff’s Department was notified and is continuing their investigation.

Roscommon County, Lake Township

August 17th – During HEMP flights Marijuana was seen behind a residence. STING along with MSP from Houghton Lake Post headed to the residence and the suspect left the area. The homeowner was contacted and gave consent to search.  Officers seized 6 guns, 2001 Jeep, 44 Marijuana Plants, 35 Miscellaneous Plants and 119.6 grams Marijuana.

The suspect said that he/she was growing Marijuana for personal use to help with back pain. He/she was asked if they had a Medical Marijuana card – he/she did not. Warrants were authorized and 2 suspects were arrested for Del/Man Marijuana.

Ogemaw County, Horton Township

September 10th – STING received a tip that a subject was growing Marijuana Plants in his/her backyard that were visible from Lake George.  D/Lt Keister, via boat, was able to see Marijuana Plants growing in plastic buckets. A search warrant was drafted, reviewed and approved.  STING with help from MSP West Branch Post went to the residence, knocked and made contact with the suspect. He/she was advised that officers were there to talk about the Marijuana Plants. The suspect advised that he/she was a Medical Marijuana patient and got the card out. Officers asked if they could come inside to talk about the plants – the suspect said “not without a warrant”. Officers advised the suspect that they did have a warrant.  The suspect advised that he/she felt the enclosure was adequate and said that he/she reviewed the requirements with attorneys from whom he/she had received advice.  At the enclosure, Officers pointed out that they could just simply reach through the fencing and grab portions of the plants. The suspect was advised that he/she was not under arrest and the suspect was not interested in talking.  Officers seized 7 Marijuana Plants from the inadequate enclosure.

Roscommon County, Nester Township

October 10th – STING received information from MSP Houghton Lake about Marijuana Plants growing on some property. STING officers and the Trooper with assistance from the property owners located 126 Marijuana Plants growing in 4 separate locations along with freshly disturbed soil. Officers seized the 126 Marijuana Plants.

October 13th – STING was contacted by the Roscommon Sheriffs Department advising that they had received a tip from the Crime Stoppers Information Center identifying a subject who was the manufacturer of the Marijuana Plants that Officers seized days before and that he/she could be found cultivating the remaining 500 Plants at his/her residence. A search warrant was obtained. STING contacted the National Guard Hemp Raid Team and flew the suspected property with nothing being found there but several plots across the street from the address.  Officers arrived at the residence and made contact with the home owner in attempts to identify the occupants living there. Officers observed a subject in camo clothing jump underneath a pickup in an attempt to hide. A 2nd subject was seen getting into a vehicle. The Officers made contact with the subjects and observed 2 large garbage bags, one with a hole in it and Marijuana sticking out. The search warrant was executed and Officers seized: 42,456.4 grams Marijuana (93.6 pounds), 1,161 Marijuana Plants, $1,257 and 8 guns. Three suspects were arrested.

Roscommon County, Denton Township

November 4th – STING received a call from a CI who could purchase Dilaudid. A buy was arranged and the CI purchased 8 Dilaudid pills.

November 10th – A second buy was arranged for the CI who bought .1 gram of Heroin.

November 20th – A third buy was done by the CI for another .1 grams of Heroin.

November 25th – A fourth buy for 3 Hydromorphone pills.  After the fourth buy, STING followed the vehicle to a gas station. Officers made contact with 2 subjects and observed pills on the floor. Officers seized 15 Hydromorphone pills, $271 and a syringe that contained Morphine. The suspect was arrested.  A search warrant was done on the suspects residence and Officers seized: 2 Fentanyl Patches, .06 grams of Heroin and 2 plastic bottles of liquid Methadone.

Iosco County, Tawas City

December 9th – STING was contacted by a CI that said they could purchase Heroin. The buy was arranged and the CI purchased .02 grams of Heroin.

December 16th – The CI contacted STING and a second buy was arranged. The CI purchased .01 grams of Heroin.

December 21st – A third buy was done for .07 grams of Heroin. The suspect was stopped and arrested after this buy on 3 counts.

Ogemaw County, Rose Township

December 18th – STING received information that a CI had gotten some tools that he/she believed were stolen. The CI was advised by the suspect that these could not be pawned because they were “hot”. The CI advised who the other subject was that was trying to sell the tools.  STING Officers obtained the stolen items and the CI was given $50 to give to the first suspect. The CI was told to give him/her the U/C’s name and number and tell them that the U/C had taken the items downstate to sell and would owe the suspect the remainder of the money.  The suspect made contact with the U/C. The U/C asked about guns and the suspect referred to the other subject. The U/C identified and ran criminal histories on the suspects – both had been to prison.  Officers are still waiting to get another buy in on the suspects.