$25,000 in drugs, cash seized
Staff writer
In one of the county’s largest recent drug arrests, cash, drugs, and paraphernalia with an estimated street value of more than $25,000 were seized in a traffic stop at 3:13 a.m. Aug. 24 at US-50 and Union Rd. southwest of Florence.
According to monitored sheriff’s transmissions, deputy Joshua Meliza stopped a 2017 Hyundai Sonata bearing Indiana license plates for an unspecified traffic infraction. His drug dog, Karma, then indicated the possibility of illicit substances.
According to an official offense report filed in the case, Meliza searched the Hyundai and discovered:
- 142 grams of cocaine. That’s enough, according to drug resources, for more than 470 doses and has an average street value of $17,040.
- 241 grams of psilocybin “magic” mushrooms, enough for as many as 65 doses, with an average street value in Kansas of $2,892.
- 39 grams of marijuana, enough for more than 120 “joints,” with a total street value estimated at $780.
- 42 items of drug paraphernalia, the value of which Meliza estimated at $250.
- $2,561 in U.S. currency. A total of 374 bills or coins were seized.
Arrested in connection with the seizure were an Indianapolis couple in their 20s — 23-year-old Justin M. Carpenter and 22-year-old Makayla N. Siegrist.
They were booked into Marion County Jail on suspicion of possessing and distributing illicit stimulants, hallucinogens, and drug paraphernalia, possession of stimulants and the active ingredient in marijuana, and having no tax stamp for selling drugs.
Both were released Friday after posting $15,000 surety bonds pending court appearances scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Sept. 7.