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Last Thursday task force officers executed two search warrants in Sandusky, which led them to a large scale marijuana distribution operation in Lamotte Township.

They started out on the northwest side of Sandusky at 9:30 a.m., where the police seized records and evidence related to drug purchases that had been taking place over four months. They interviewed and released a 47-year-old woman pending further investigation.

According to DTF Director William Gray, they then obtained a second search warrant for a home on the north side of Sandusky because they believed it was connected to marijuana distribution.

At 12:30 p.m. task force officers and Sandusky Police seized a small amount of marijuana, a handgun, records of drug purchases and sales, a large amount of packaging materials, and evidence of long-term dealer quantity marijuana buys having been made. They interviewed and released a 46-year-old Sandusky man pending further investigation.

Gray said they developed information involving the large-scale marijuana distribution operation while reviewing evidence from the first two busts.

They obtained a search warrant for a home and property in the 1300 block of N. Van Dyke Road.

When the task force officers and the sheriff department canine unit approached the property at 6 p.m., an 18-year-old man met them in the yard. He directed them to the 2006 27-foot travel trailer he was living in after being told about the search warrant.

The police seized three gallon-size plastic bags of high quality processed marijuana, smaller bags of marijuana packaged for street sales, scales, cash, packaging materials, a video of multiple individuals involved in marijuana trafficking and the Coachman trailer.

The marijuana weighed more than two pounds and had a wholesale value of about $2,500, and a street value of approximately $9,150 when sold in 1/8 ounce quantities.

The 18-year-old male and a 18-year-old female were questioned and released pending the issuance of arrest warrants. They will be charged with possession with intent to deliver marijuana, maintaining a drug house, and possession of marijuana.

"We haven't been seeing this weight of marijuana very frequently at all in the last six moths," said Gray.

"We do know from information the (18-year-old) suspect gave us it was being bought in Flint. It's a substantial amount of dope. He was supplying the middle to west side of county, and east sections of Tuscola and Lapeer counties. Hopefully, we have shut them down."

Gray added, "It's unusual for such a young guy to be dealing at this level Ð two pounds. Usually it's at the beginning steps of drug dealing, quarter pound, half pound. Our information (for the drug bust) had centered around a prior amount of dope he'd purchased in Flint. There was about six ounces left out of that prior purchase. Fortunately for us, unfortunately for him, he'd gone the day before and purchased another 19 ounces of the 32 total."

A 23-year-old Marlette man was also ticketed for possession of marijuana and frequenting a drug house when he was caught leaving the scene as officers began the search.

Gray said, the success of this investigation is due to cooperation from the Sandusky Police Department, Michigan State Police, and the Sheriff Department Road Patrol.

Report suspected drug activity anonymously by calling toll-free 1-800-544-3784.