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11 arrested in countywide drug busts
Operation High Note culmination of long investigation
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Law enforcement officers prepare for "Operation High Note" Monday morning. Drug raids across the county netted 11 arrests.

Several weeks of investigation culminated in the execution of multiple search warrants Monday in what authorities dubbed “Operation High Note.” The Barton County Sheriff’s Office has been investigating the possession and distribution of methamphetamine and other drugs. At about 11 a.m. Monday, Sheriff’s deputies and other law enforcement personnel executed five search warrants at various locations in Barton County, Sheriff Brian Bellendir said.

Deputies executed search warrants at 512 E. 4th St. in Ellinwood, 1408 11th St. in Great Bend, 2015 Holland St. in Great Bend, 2501 Cheyenne Dr. in Great Bend and 36 Kiowa Rd. just southeast of the Great Bend city limits. Officers discovered methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and, at one location, a stolen firearm.

Eleven persons were arrested in the operation.

Arrested at 512 E. 4th Street in Ellinwood:

• Victoria Siefers age 24 - possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia is being held in the Barton County Jail on $2500 bond. Has posted bond.

• Eric Torres, age 32 - possession of methamphetamine and failed to register as drug offender. Being held in lieu of a $10,000 bond. Has posted bond.

Arrested at 1408 11th St. in Great Bend:

• Stephen Lee Contrerez II, age 31- possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Held in the Barton County jail in lieu of a $10,000 bond.

• Jennifer L Ogden, age 33 - possession of methamphetamine possession of drug paraphernalia. Being held in the Barton County jail in lieu of a $10,000 bond.

• Paul D. Pryor, age 41- distribution of methamphetamine within 1000 feet of a school, no drug tax stamp and possession of drug paraphernalia. Being held the Barton County jail in lieu of $100,000 bond.

2501 Cheyenne Great Bend:

• Debra Holder, age 35 - possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.  Being held in the Barton County jail in lieu of a $10,000 bond.  Has posted bond.

• Jason Sohm, age 41- possession of methamphetamine within intent to distribute within 1000 feet of a school and possession of drug paraphernalia. Held in the Barton County jail in lieu of $100,000 bond. 

2015 Holland St., Great Bend:

• Jennifer Hayes, age 36- possession of methamphetamine, no drug tax stamp and distribution of methamphetamine. Being held the Barton County jail in lieu of $100,000 bond.

36 Kiowa Road, Great Bend:

Brent Bretz, age 40 - distribution of methamphetamine, no drug tax stamp, criminal use of a weapon and possession of stolen firearm. Being held in the Barton County jail in lieu of $100,000 bond.

• Beckie A. Eisenbarth, age 44 - was arrested at 2423 Gano on three counts of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  She is being held on a $100000.00 bond.

• Jeremy Lamb, age 35 – was arrested at 515 S. Bismark in Ellinwood. He has been charged with Distribution of Methamphetamine and no drug tax stamp.  He is being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond.

“This was the first phase of an ongoing operation,” Bellendir said. “As is customary, as new information is developed in these drug cases, the Sheriff’s Office will follow the leads where they take us, further arrests are expected.”

The Sheriff’s office was assisted by the Ellinwood Police Department, the Great Bend Police Department, Stafford County Sheriff’s Office, the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office and a game warden from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.