MARMET makes three more drug arrests
The MARMET Drug Task Force searched two more homes and made three more drug-related arrests Friday morning as police and deputies continue their push against trafficking in the community.
"The message we want to send is to get out of Marion," Lt. Chris Adkins said. "We're not going to put up with it."
The Marion Police Department and Marion County Sheriff's Office joined forces to launch "Operation Wake Up Call" shortly after 7 a.m. Detectives from each agency hit residences on South Prospect Street and East Church Street following lengthy investigations.
Police arrested three suspects during the raid in the 600 block of South Prospect Street.
Justin A. Stanley, 27, Marion, was arrested on charges of possession of heroin, possession of criminal tools and two warrants.
Stanley pleaded guilty to multiple counts of trafficking in cocaine in 2011 according to Marion County Court of Common Pleas records. He also pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated rioting in 2006.
Jorge Fuentes, 30, Chicago, was arrested on charges of possession of heroin and tampering with evidence.
Fuentes has an active case in Marion. He was indicted on charges of trafficking in heroin in August.
Daphne Carter, 24, Marion, was arrested on charges of possession of heroin, possession of criminal tools and endangering children."
"There's a price to pay," Adkins said. "We're going to kick your door in. If we can take you to jail, you're going to jail."
Police recovered 42.3 grams of heroin and $3,980 in cash.
At the same time, task force officers recovered 2.8 grams of crack cocaine and $772 from a residence in the 340 block of East Church Street.
"MARMET officers are doing an outstanding job of investigating drug houses," Adkins said. "They will keep giving their all to slow the drug trade and rid the neighborhood of problem neighbors."
Since Jan. 8, the drug task force has arrested nine people on drug-related charges in three MARMET-led operations, netting more than $16,000 in cash and 92 grams of heroin.
Two men were arrested Jan. 8 as MARMET officials hit two homes, yielding 49.7 grams of heroin, 2.2 grams of marijuana, illegal pills and more than $11,500 in suspected drug money.
Four more Marion residents were arrested Tuesday on cocaine-related charges. Police found stolen clothes, DVDs and a handgun among drugs in a pair of apartments.
MARMET officials are asking for the public's assistance in fighting drugs by calling law enforcement with information on drug activity.
Originally published in the Marion Star on January 16, 2015.