Searches lead to drugs, arrests

A multistate drug bust on Friday led to the arrest of six people at two Barnesville, Minn., residences.

Officials from the Clay County Sheriff’s Department said search warrants helped investigators seize 8 ounces of meth, 74 grams of marijuana, 18 grams of hallucinogenic mushrooms, two guns, a vehicle and $14,905 in cash from the residences.

The meth seized in the raid has a street value of about $40,000.

In addition, the investigation led to a search in West Fargo, where authorities found 6 ounces of meth and about $15,000 in cash.

The arrests are expected to have a major impact on the supply of methamphetamine in the area, said Lt. Stephen Landsem, of the Sheriff’s Department.

“I think we put a pretty big dent in the local meth trade,” Landsem said, adding the investigation began several months ago.

“I believe they’ve been in operation a while,” he said.

According to the Sheriff’s Department, the searches at 21601 162nd Ave. S. and 401 3rd St. NW No. 5 in the Barnesville area led to the arrest of:

* Debbie Dinae Neels, 42, of Barnesville.

* James Bradley Asplin, 41, of Barnesville.

* Shay Marie Asplin, 36, of Barnesville.

* Ashley Marie Haug, 23, of Fargo.

* Carl Mervin Renecker, 43, of Barnesville.

* Aleise Nicole Lafayette, 26, of Barnesville.

All of those arrested in the Clay County searches face charges in Clay County District Court of first-degree controlled substance crime, authorities said.

The Clay County Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case and additional charges may be filed, authorities said.

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Tags: news, crime, drugs, arrests, search