Major Drug Ring Busted

On Tuesday, June 2, 2009 the Seward County Sheriffź??s Office and the Kansas Bureau of Investigations together with the Liberal Police Department began preparing for the second largest joint operation since the October, 2008 sweep. During the October, 2008 raids Law Enforcement uncovered a second suspected drug ring operating in the Liberal area and a new investigation began.

On Wednesday, June 3, 2009, the Seward County Sheriffź??s Office, Liberal Police Department and the Kansas Bureau of Investigations together with Officers from the Garden City Police Department, Finney County Sheriffź??s Office, Dodge City Police Department , Kansas Highway Patrol and the Tyrone Oklahoma Police Department, began severing search warrants on 10 Liberal area residences and one Hugoton residence.

Officers seized over one pound of Cocaine, with an estimated street value of over $15000.00. Officers also uncovered several illegal documents believed to be used to manufacture fraudulent identifications.

The investigation resulted in the arrest of three Liberal area residents and the seizure of two vehicles believed to be used to traffic the illegal narcotics in Liberal.

The names of the suspects are being withheld pending first appearance in the Seward County District Court.

Officials expect that some additional arrests will be made in the coming week in connection with Wednesdayź??s operation.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a Court of law.