The Barton County Sheriff’s Office reports finding methamphetamine, fentanyl tablets, marijuana and suspected fentanyl powder during the execution of a search warrant on Tuesday in Great Bend. Deputies and detectives searched a residence at Finer Mobile Home Park, 5501 9th St. lot 96 and arrested Chet Whetham, 35, of Great Bend.

Sheriff Brian Bellendir said the search warrant was part of an ongoing investigation related to illegal drugs and outstanding warrants.

Whetham had an outstanding warrant from Harvey County for the distribution of fentanyl, Bellendir said. He was transported to the Barton County Jail and booked on the Harvey County warrant as well as charges of distribution of fentanyl and various other drug-related charges for Barton County.

Records show he was arrested at 6:13 p.m. and he is being held in lieu of a $50,000 bond for Harvey County and a $100,000 bond for Barton County. The search warrant was executed shortly before 5:30 p.m.

“The Sheriff’s Office had requested assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for this operation,” Bellendir stated in a news release. “The KBI has recently added several K-9s and handlers who are specifically trained in the detection of fentanyl.

“Further arrests from the search warrant are anticipated in the near future.”