Two Drug Operations Stopped

A month’s long drug investigation leads to five arrests at a Salina motel.

According to Drug Task Force Commander Lt. Bill Cox, police used search warrants in two different rooms at the Airliner Motel, 781 N. Broadway on Thursday night.

Police say information about drug activity at the motel sparked the investigation, while confidential informants who bought drugs led to the warrant sweep.

Police found methamphetamine in Room #39 and arrested 39-year-old Eric L. Poole and 38-year-old Jamie L. Smith on charges of possession with intent to sell.

Lt. Cox tells KSAL News that police also arrested another independent group selling drugs ten doors down in Room #29.

Officers confiscated a large amount of marijuana and an undisclosed amount of cash in the room where members of a gang known as the “Get Money Boyz” or GMB was operating. Police did not say how much pot was found because the investigation is still recording the evidence.

Police arrested 23-year-old Bobby Lee Wilson, Farouk Akin Deen, 28, and Demetrius Lorenzo Carruthers, 28, on drug charges for possession and distribution of pot. The three also face charges for recruiting for criminal street gang membership.

Lt. Cox added that the investigation is ongoing and more arrest are possible.