On Friday, Aug. 9, a joint law enforcement operation was conducted in the Merrill area as a part of the ongoing effort to remove drugs from the community. Participating agencies included: Merrill Police Department, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin Department of Corrections – Probation & Parole, Tomahawk Police Department K9, Rhinelander Police Department K9 and Lac Du Flambeau Police Department K9.
Thirty-two officers took to the streets backed up by the three K9 units and agents from probation and parole. Over the next several hours, officers conducted 56 traffic stops, made 35 home visits to check on the activity of 40 probation/parole clients and made four bar checks.
As a result of the efforts:
Eight criminal charges were or will be referred to the Lincoln County District Attorney for one felony and seven misdemeanor charges including possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana as a repeat offender and misdemeanor bail jumping. Each one of the arrests was based on K9 indication of drugs within a vehicle.
Two people were arrested for violating terms of their probation and two others have had apprehension requests issued for investigation into probation violation.
One person was also arrested on an outstanding warrant and two suspicious vehicles were checked upon.
Of the vehicles that were stopped, eight of those stops resulted in positive K9 alerts on the vehicles.
Enforcement action included 15 citations: Speeding, 2; fail to obey sign, 1; operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, 3; operating after revocation/suspension, 2; operating without registration, 2; and five others. Nine written warnings were given for equipment violations.
Law enforcement in Lincoln County remains committed to keeping drugs off of the streets of our county. Operations similar to this are currently being planned for the future.
If you know any information on the use or distribution of narcotics in Lincoln County you are asked to call the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (715-536-6272), Merrill Police Department (715-536-8311) or the Tomahawk Police Department (715-453-2121).
Callers may also call Crime Stoppers of Lincoln County at 715-536-3726. Callers to Crime Stoppers may remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
If you or someone you love has a drug problem, there are local free programs available to help. Contact the Lincoln County Health Care Center at (715) 536-9482 or the local Narcotics Anonymous at 866-590-2651.