Sheriff Brian Bellendir added two more drug busts to the BCSO tally as a result of traffic stops Thursday night and early Friday morning in the Hoisington area.

“Detective Adam Hales has been spearheading an operation investigating suspected methamphetamine trafficking in Barton County,” Bellendir stated in a news release Saturday morning. 

Thursday night, Deputy Sheriff Alex Lomas stopped a 2012 Ford F250 pickup in the 100 block of W. Cheyenne St., Hoisington, at 11:20 p.m. following a traffic infraction. K9 unit “Maxx” and handler Nick Katznemeier were called to the scene. Maxx indicated the presence of controlled substances. Sheriff’s deputies investigated and found drug paraphernalia, a firearm and a small amount of Methamphetamine. The driver, Jason Devine, 42 of Marquette, was arrested and transported to the Barton County Jail and booked for possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and criminal use of a firearm. He was released after posting a $10,000 bond. 

A short while after Devine was stopped, Deputy Sheriff Richard Allen stopped a black 2011 Dodge Ram pickup driven by James D. Pfaff, 57 of Gorham. 

“Pfaff was placed under arrest based on information from Detective Hales involving the ongoing investigation,” Bellendir stated.

Deputy Kantzenmeier and Max were again called to the scene, and Maxx indicated the presence of controlled substances. Pfaff was booked into the Barton County Jail on three counts of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond was set at $300,000. Pfaff remains in custody. Later Friday, a search warrant was executed and over 1/4 pound of Methamphetamine and more than $10,000 cash was seized. 

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, The DEA and the Great Bend Police Department.