A central Kansas sheriff says a tip that a jail inmate was orchestrating drug deals using the facility’s pay phone system has led to the arrest of three people and seizure of more than a pound of methamphetamine.

Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir says calls from inmates at the county jail are recorded and both parties are warned about the recordings. A detective monitored the calls and search warrants were executed Tuesday at three addresses in Ellinwood and Great Bend.

The sheriff says 1 1/2 pounds of meth with a street value of $50,000 were found at the three locations.

Ashley Mendivil, age 26 , of Great Bend, was arrested for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Her bond is set at $500,000 and remains in the County Jail in lieu of such bond.

Joshua Hoffner, age 32, of Great Bend. Hoffner is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was arrested on a parole violation. The bond on the possession with intent to distribute is $500,000. There is no bond on the parole violation. Hoffner remains in jail as of this time.

Reynaldo Verduzco, who is already a resident of the County Jail was arrested and charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamin, and use of a communication device in the furtherance of a felony. He was booked on the new charges and an additional $500,000 bond has been applied to his previous bonds.

Bellendir says further arrests are anticipated.