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Meth labs gone, but drugs aren't
Staff Writer It's been nearly three years since a meth lab was broken up in Crow Wing County.
It's a success touted across the state after the Legislature and counties passed measures to limit the sale of ingredients used to make the addictive drug.
But it hasn't meant the end of narcotics in the area. In fact, Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl said the drug problem in Crow Wing County is comparable to five years ago, when officers were busting dozens of meth labs a year.
The difference now is drugs are being transported into the area instead of made here, Dahl said.
"I believe we've made a small dent but we're still seeing marijuana, meth and crack cocaine," Dahl said. "They're slipping it into the area through other means. We are now concentrating on the sellers, the manufacturers, the people out there bringing narcotics into the area illegally."
While manufacturing meth is a waning crime, sales of narcotics continue in Crow Wing County. In the past week there have been two unrelated arrests made in which the suspects intended to sell drugs, law enforcement officials said.
The first arrest occurred on Thursday. After a six-week investigation, officers from the Pequot Lakes Police Department and the Lakes Area Drug Investigative Division executed a search warrant at Noyes Agency Inc. in Pequot Lakes. Officers found 226 grams of marijuana, $420 in cash and nine weapons.
The owner of the business, 37-year-old Bradley Noyes, was charged in Crow Wing County District Court with felony fifth-degree controlled substance crime/sale and felony fifth-degree controlled substance crime.
He was released from jail on $5,000 bond. His next court date is April 13.
On Friday, officers from Crow Wing County Probation and Crow Wing County Sheriff's Department went to a residence in Lake Edward Township looking for 31-year-old Christine Ann Pickar, who was wanted on a probation violation.
At the residence officers found drug paraphernalia and suspected controlled substances.
A search warrant was obtained and executed and officers seized meth; cocaine; eight handguns, seven of which were loaded; a booklet containing information on how to make meth; several meth precursor items including beakers, a hot plate, books of matches and tubing; a scale; and other paraphernalia.
The owner of the home, 54-year-old Val Sarff, was arrested at Brainerd Chiropractic Clinic, where he works as a chiropractor. Officers also seized Sarff's vehicle and found paraphernalia, a scale, a bag containing a suspected controlled substance and a pipe with two bags of meth inside.
In all, officers recovered 7.6 grams of cocaine, 67.5 grams of meth and 71.5 grams of marijuana from Sarff's house.
Sarff was charged in Crow Wing County District Court with felony first-degree controlled substance crime/sale, felony first-degree controlled substance crime/possession, felony second-degree controlled substance crime/possession and felony fifth-degree controlled substance crime/possession.
He was released from jail Tuesday on $100,000 bond with conditions. His next court date is Friday.
It's because of the continued presence of drugs in this county that Dahl hopes to enlist the eyes and ears of the public to help in drug investigations. He noted that callers will remain anonymous.
"It's important for people not to be apprehensive about reporting something that doesn't seem right," Dahl said. "Even if it turns out to be something trivial, we want you to report it."
Someone wishing to report possible drug or other suspicious activity can do so by sending an e-mail to LADID@co.crow-wing.mn.us or by calling the sheriff's department at 829-4749.
As he promised during the 2006 campaign, Dahl said he will continue to be aggressive on drug crimes, which are often linked to ancillary crimes such as burglaries, fraud and child endangerment.
"We need a proactive stance instead of a reactive stance," Dahl said. "We need to let people know this will not be tolerated here and we're going to do all we can to quash the problem."
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.
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