ROBERT PIERCE
• Leader & Times
Around four pounds of cocaine was seized as part of three search warrants served in July and August in Seward County.
Monday, Sheriff Gene Ward issued a press release stating the first search warrant was conducted Friday, July 26, at a business in Liberal.
“During search of the business, approximately 1.4 pounds of cocaine was located,” he said. “Suspect faces charges of distribution of a controlled substance, distribution of drug paraphernalia and no Kansas drug tax stamp from the incident.”
Ward said a second suspect also faces charges of distribution of a controlled substance, distribution of drug paraphernalia and no Kansas drug tax stamp.
Wednesday, Aug. 14, the sheriff’s office conducted a search warrant at a residence in Liberal, and Ward said about a tenth of a pound of cocaine was located.
“Suspect faces charges of distribution of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school, distribution of drug paraphernalia within 1,000 feet of a school and no Kansas drug tax stamp from this incident,” he said.
A third search warrant was conducted Thursday, Aug. 15, at a residence in rural Seward County. Ward said during a search of the property, about two and a half pounds of cocaine was located.
“Suspect faces charges of distribution of a controlled substance, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, distribution of drug paraphernalia and no Kansas drug tax stamp from this incident,” he said.
The Seward County Sheriff’s office would like to thank the Liberal Police Department, Haskell County Sheriff’s office and the Meade County Sheriff’s office for their assistance with these investigations.
Ward reminded the public the people involved have not yet been convicted of a crime and are presumed innocent.
“The presumption of innocence shall continue until such time the person(s) accused may be found guilty by a court of law,” he said.
