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Local News

PUBLISHED: Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Tattoo parlor raided for drugs



Chalk up two more drug raids for the Sanilac County Drug Task Force -- one at a tattoo business and a second where cash was hid under used toilet paper.

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On June 23 officers raided a Marlette Township house and seized marijuana plants, processed marijuana, pot growing equipment, a loaded pistol, truck and $7400 in cash.

Three days later, on June 26. DTF busted a tattoo parlor in Carsonville, seizing pot, suspected cocaine digital scales, firearms, computers and more than $700 in cash.

DTF executed the Carsonville search warrant at a High Street residence south of M-46 following several months of reports of pot being sold from a tattoo business at the residence.

Carsonville Police Chief Jason Schoen and Deputy Sheriff Greg Barker with the canine unit's drug dog, Kay, assisted with the search.

Two suspects, a husband and wife, ages 28 and 27 respectively, were at home when officers conducted the search around 10 a.m. Authorities found multiple bags of pre-packaged marijuana for sale, a small amount of suspected cocaine or other powdered drug, digital scales, semi-automatic 30-round 9 millimeter assault-type pistol, 380 semi-automatic pistol, shotgun, rifle, more than $700 in suspected cash drug sale proceeds, two computers, packaging materials and miscellaneous drug paraphernalia.

The suspects were buying marijuana in three or four-ounce amounts in the Port Huron area and repackaging in into one-eighth and one-quarter ounce amounts for retail sale to customers at the residence, said DTF chief Bill Gray.

The couple was interviewed but not immediately arrested, and face possible charges of possession with intent to deliver marijuana, possession of firearms in commission of a felony, possession of marijuana, maintaining a drug house, and, pending crime lab analysis, possession of cocaine.

On June 23, DTF executed a search warrant in the 5400 block of Cotter Road in Marlette Township.

Task force officers gained forced entry to the residence at around 3 p.m. where the 53-year-old male suspect was known to be armed with a loaded 38-caliber revolver, said Gray. Sheriff Department Sgt. Brad Roff and Lt. Brian McGinnis from the Marlette Police Department assisted.

Authorities seized 16 marijuana plants growing in the main floor area of the house and discovered the suspect was constructing a larger grow area in the basement. Officers also confiscated 15 ounces of processed marijuana ready for retail sale and a triple beam scale.

While searching a bathroom, officers discovered $7400Êin cash at the bottom of a wastebasket filled with used toilet paper.

The suspect had also electrified the home's sliding glass patio door by connecting an electric cantle fencer to the door and door track. Officers avoided the booby trap by entering through the front door, Gray reported.

The total marijuana seized in the raid -- 16 plants worth an estimated $16,000 in retail sale and 15 pounces of processed pot valued at around $4,250 -- was more than $20,000. While the total value of all equipment, cash and a Toyota pickup truck confiscated, amounted to at least $15,000.

The suspect was questioned and released at the scene and faces possible charges of manufacture marijuana, possession with intent to deliver marijuana, possession of a firearm in commission of a felony, possession of an unregistered handgun, maintaining a drug house and possession of marijuana. Federal firearms violations are also possible.

To report suspected drug activity, call the Sanilac County Drug Task Force at 1-800-544-DRUG (3784).





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