Sheriff's Department makes three drug busts this month

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Three recent drug busts on I-70 in Putnam County has Sheriff's Department Criminal Interdiction Team happy.

On March 7, Larry Sharp and Kenyata Flowers, Baton Rouge, LA, were pulled over for various traffic violations around mile marker 37 on I-70. After giving consent to search their rental car approximately 10,000 hits of ecstasy were found in the trunk.

Sheriff Mark Frisbie said, "We were working on the case with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to try to take [the case] back to its source in Texas […] however the case is basically dead in the water."

On March 15, Robert Jackson, Evansville, was pulled over near the 40-mile marker on I-70 for a traffic stop. A K-9 unit was dispatched and made a hit, recovering four ounces of cocaine with intent to deal.

Lastly on March 16, a Jeep Laredo was pulled over traveling East on I-70 in Putnam County. Elizabeth Talamantes, 25, undocumented person, had three Hispanic males aged 7, 10 and 16 on board with her. After giving consent to search, a K-9 unit found 50 pounds of marijuana hidden in the spare tire.

"She had a partner who was behind her three hours to take her to the dealing point in Indianapolis," Frisbie said. "Alberto Marquez was waited on and later arrested for conspiracy."

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  • Sounds like a pretty good month for interstate busts. What's happening on the local level, any progress in cleaning up our county?

    -- Posted by Xgamer on Tue, Mar 18, 2008, at 5:23 AM
  • You know better than that Xgamer. Everything is good as long as you make your monthly payment to the right person.

    -- Posted by mad-mom on Tue, Mar 18, 2008, at 5:54 AM
  • Both of you previous posters are evidence that we need to keep drug dealers out of Putnam County. Good job deputies!

    -- Posted by Geologist on Tue, Mar 18, 2008, at 6:34 AM
  • Sound like he his trying to get the heat off of him. Its not going to work Mark!

    -- Posted by rhoover1615 on Tue, Mar 18, 2008, at 9:47 AM
  • Yeah, we need to start cleaning up the people in Putnam County. The more times that I go grocery shopping at Wal-Mart, the more white trash I see. I need to start shopping somewhere else, or move to another county!

    -- Posted by nikkilpn on Tue, Mar 18, 2008, at 11:08 AM
  • Yes Nikki the LPN, this is the ONLY county with these problems. Go shop some place else, and you will never run into ANY problems ever again ... Great job local police, deputies. Keep up the good work.

    -- Posted by GRNT on Tue, Mar 18, 2008, at 1:33 PM
  • Yes what a good job they did..But what about the houses that are being broke into and firmarms and knife collections as well as other items being taken..Then the perpatrators return to vandilize and destroy the home..Not even a finger print taken or even a follow up..Was told there was about 200 houses in Putnam County had been broke into. Just what are they doing about that?? It took almost 3 hours just to get a deputy out to the house..They have 3 little girls that live there..Think about what it has done to their little minds..Is the Residents even safe out here in the County?? Good job on the drug bust but who is protecting our homes??

    -- Posted by honestangel on Tue, Mar 18, 2008, at 5:05 PM
  • Catching interstate drug traffic is always a good thing VolunteerFF, and I think it is a great way to fund your sherriffs dept with proceeds from such arrests. Putnam County Deputies are doing a great job of plucking them off the highway.Now, having said that again with more detail, my simple, honest question still remains.

    "What's happening on the local level, any progress in cleaning up our county?"

    Now it is your turn, VolunteerFF, to explain your mindless, cowardly public insult of how "Xgamer and mad-mom" are evidence to keep dealers out of this county.

    -- Posted by Xgamer on Tue, Mar 18, 2008, at 5:55 PM
  • I think most of these comments are very positive with possibly VolunteerFF not really understanding the article. I was down south a bit and coming back home I'm pleased to see at least one local department concerned with public safety. Playing euchre with the girls today, it was noted how many police cars are always parked at the Cloverdale police station. I guess the new thinking is the drug people will just stop and turn themselves in. Is this what you speaking of Xgamer and mad-mom? Very well said Bondsman.

    -- Posted by gingb2 on Tue, Mar 18, 2008, at 8:37 PM
  • XGamer - your first post looked like sarcasm or criticism of the sheriif's department rather than a compliment. And the other post from mad-mom insinuated payment of protection money is needed to be protected. I saw both posts as sarcastic comments meant to be funny rather than serious and I responded in kind. Sorry you didn't see that. As for the name calling, leave it off the site.

    -- Posted by Geologist on Wed, Mar 19, 2008, at 11:13 AM
  • I agree, kudos to the sheriff's dept. for a fine job on the interstate. Now if we can just get them to do such a great job in the home burglary section. Like honestangel, i agree there seems to be a big problem. In fact i know one person that called to report a break in and they were told by the dispatcher that it wasnt considered a priority and to call the sheriffs dept later in the day to have them come out and take a report. Needless to say matters were takin into ones own hand and the items were returned. At least this one person got lucky, but what about the others that have lost things. Like most government agencies in this county, i think some priorities need to be reshuffled.

    -- Posted by justmoveonwillya on Wed, Mar 19, 2008, at 1:22 PM
  • Police can't "watch" all the homes and business areas to prevent burglaries. They are limited to making reports after the fact. There are more drug smugglers than there are police in patrol cars, so any busts are only a fraction of what gets through.

    Interstate busts are strategic and the officers are trained in what to look for on the highways. Those arrested were more than likely not even heading to our area, but our county dept benefits from confiscated property and/or cash.

    -- Posted by Xgamer on Wed, Mar 19, 2008, at 5:30 PM
  • I guess getting out to play cards and occasional visit to T doesn't keep my old bones informed enough. I did not know we had so many burglaries in the county. I do have the impression we have a big drug problem. Good job deputies on working to keep the county safe from all crimes. Of course the Cloverdale board voted to not have themselves take drug test. It could be because 3 board members had problems taking the test. Could that be because there are county deputies around doing their jobs???

    -- Posted by gingb2 on Wed, Mar 19, 2008, at 8:00 PM
  • honestangel is correct. The interstate should be patrolled by state troopers, not county police. These deputies are doing nothing more than catching drug mules on their way to Texas via I70. Although this doesn't make it right, those drugs will never reach the streets of Greencastle. What about meth and other drugs on our streets in Putnam co? What about rash of car break ins, home invasions? The county roads need patrolled by county police. Interstates should be gladly handed over to state patrol.

    My opinion of course

    -- Posted by tenspeed1984 on Thu, Mar 20, 2008, at 7:59 AM
  • I am curious as to why you never see any police officers patrolling in Cloverdale anymore. All I see is Don Pearson driving the new car around. We must no longer have any criminals in Cloverdale, or simply no officers.

    -- Posted by cloverlady on Thu, Mar 20, 2008, at 12:13 PM
  • well cloverlady....thats the new and improved police force....things sure are better with the new board arent they.

    -- Posted by justmoveonwillya on Thu, Mar 20, 2008, at 4:43 PM
  • I stand corrected. I did see two officers have someone stopped on Burma Road yesterday evening, and one cruising through Stardust earlier in the day. So, they are here - just not very often.

    -- Posted by cloverlady on Fri, Mar 21, 2008, at 6:34 AM
  • And it's a relief to know that the crime rate is down in Putnam county. I mean it must be if the officers of the Sheriff's department are patrolling the interstate. Right???

    -- Posted by cloverlady on Fri, Mar 21, 2008, at 6:37 AM
  • You know ANY of you can come apply at either the Sheriffs dept or Cloverdale Police dept and Vol your service's (reserve division). I also know that Dwight and Ben and Craig as well as many others volunteer there time they spend on I-70. But I understand that most of you UNINFORMED ppl that make these comments only listen to the scanner and hear what you want to hear and jump to some pretty strange and wrong conclusions about our Deputies, and yes I am a police officer and yes I volunteer my time so you ppl can sit in your homes and criticize those of us that do try to "Serve and Protect". Its not the C'dale officers fault the Town Board has made the decisions it has, so many of us ask ourselves daily why don't the ppl in Cloverdale stand up and take back control of "there" town? Stand behind the Officers there that REALLY are trying to do an impossible job there! And don't condemn all the Deputies of the Sheriffs dept because a few ppl in, your opinion, have had a breakdown in judgement. And until all the registered voters in the county decide they have had enough, then the current admimn at the Sheriffs Dept, will stay right where it is for 3 more years. So PLEASE sit in front of your computers condemn the very ppl that hopefully, AND GOD WILLING, you never have to call 911 to come save you. Sleep and gossip in peace knowing that those of us that can are trying to do our best so that you can have the freedom to complain about us! "You can please some of the ppl some of the time, but not all the ppl all the time". Might think bout that next time your complaining about that officer who is out there trying to just do his job.

    Ok now you can gripe and complain about me its ok I have rather large shoulders and have installed a handrail on my butt so none of you slip and fall as your climbing up there to stab me in my back.

    -- Posted by CastlePirate on Fri, Mar 21, 2008, at 10:28 AM
  • CastleIrate, then you could fill us in on how our county is doing in the local war on drugs. I know Knox County built a new jail and even had a "meth-orphan" crisis due to the drug problem there. Surely there are stats that can tell us how Putnam County stands in comparison to the rest of the state.

    Your job as a law enforcement official will always be criticized by the public. I'm sure that you get your "attaboy" pat on the back on a job well done from time to time. These people are free to express themselves however they wish on this blog, no matter how well they are informed or uninformed. As a professional, you should know that.

    Thank you for volunteering your time as a reserve and keep up the good work.

    -- Posted by Xgamer on Fri, Mar 21, 2008, at 4:41 PM
  • I was not complaining about the Cloverdale Police. I mean no disrespect to any law enforcement officer. I know that our town board has made a lot of questionable decisions in respect to our police department which means the welfare of all the town's citizens is at stake. Fewer officers means less crime control. How long will it take for an officer to respond to a 911 call from dispatch? Could someone be dead in the time it takes for an officer to get there? It's not like domestic violence or drunks fighting aren't issues here.

    I do take offense at CastlePirate treating all of us as if we are morons and have nothing better to do than gossip and complain. BUT we have every right to complain. We vote and we pay taxes. We are entitled to have our say. Some of us are educated with college degrees with majors in criminology. We could go down another road and discuss ethics in law enforcement.

    -- Posted by cloverlady on Sat, Mar 22, 2008, at 3:20 PM
  • Cloverlady - why aren't you complaining of the Cloverdale Police department or the real culprits, the town board as stated by CastleIrate. I'm thrilled the Sheriffs department can make these bust. God knows Cloverdale doesn't have a viable police department. I wonder if the cpd will be running traffic for the few and far between funeral processions? If the Sheriffs department can pick up the slack for the town the better for the town.

    Its been told down at T's the CPD did stop a car going 60+ in a 30 and got off because they know a board member and it took 2 hours to respond to an early morning accident on main street where the driver had time to walk home get another vehicle to tow theirs away and leave the scene before anyone showed up. And yes it was the Sheriffs department who was finally able to respond. Kudos to the Sheriffs department for once again bailing the town out.

    -- Posted by gingb2 on Sat, Mar 22, 2008, at 7:53 PM
  • Everyone always wants the protection in their back yard. Maybe it is there and you don't know it. Do you people actually think the sheriff's department is unaware of what is happening? Do you think they are going to tell the residents they are investigating something in their neighborhood. Maybe the sheriff's department patrolling the interstate limits the opportunity for state officers to patrol alone and maybe be on the take with some of the drug operations coming through the county. And, they are doing it on their own time as volunteers. Unless you have knowledge of every case the department is working on, get off their backs and let them do their jobs. Think there are not enough officers on the force? Maybe if you would allow large business in the area, it would increase the residence rate. That would pay for more officers. Oh, wait, that would bring more crime too. What do you want, a perfect little town? Time to get out of your Cloverdale bubble and face reality. Organize neighborhood crime watch groups and give your understaffed and underpaid police force a helping hand instead of complaining about them all the time. You seem to know everything the officers are doing but know nothing about the crime in your own neighborhood. Check your neighbors and your/their friends.

    -- Posted by Cosmitron on Sun, Mar 23, 2008, at 2:34 PM
  • Wow Cosmo, that was bold of you to insinuate that the County Sheriff's are in cahoots with drug dealers. mad-mom was only joking with her statement, but you not only opened a can of worms--you brought a whole case!

    As far as to what my neighbors are doing, well, it's none of my business what they are doing until it negatively affects me in public view. If I ever become victimized, I would want an investigator, not a patrolman. Our patrolmen need to be present on our crowded streets and roads to slow down all the aggressive drivers.

    The complaints in this blog are legit, at least in the eyes of the citizens who type them. And by the way, the bubble has been bursted long ago. Who wouldn't want a perfect little town?

    An ailing economy with rising unemployment is going to bring an increase in petty crimes that will lead to a rise in more serious crimes as well. Moving in more population without an increase in jobs is only a bad idea.

    Our law enforcement agencies will benefit us all if they work in unison. We have the resources to fund our departments around us, if only those resources are managed properly to afford adequate service.

    That can of worms is in the same case Cosmo brought with him.

    -- Posted by Xgamer on Mon, Mar 24, 2008, at 5:45 AM
  • Oh yes, kudos to Kevin Crafton. You're likely to have a blog hit 40 comments. Off to a good start, welcome to the Banner.

    -- Posted by Xgamer on Mon, Mar 24, 2008, at 5:47 AM
  • There is an interesting story about a particular Town Marshal in the past that stepped on too many toes. Some "good ole boys" from the CVFD back then decided to take matters in their own hands against this Marshall. What they attempted was a terrible felony, but effective enough to convince the Marshal to resign and give up law enforcement.

    I hope we all can refrain from such barbaric antics. Those old enough to know what I'm talking about should agree that lawsuits (no matter how frivolous) and injunctions are a much more civil way to deal with our differences. History is a great teacher if we don't forget it.

    -- Posted by Xgamer on Tue, Mar 25, 2008, at 3:06 PM
  • OutofControl did you really expect anything different. The Board clearly believes creating an administrative department and not building from the ground up. To heck with enforcing the law. One of these days they just might get some officers (and non-investor leadership) on the force. Heard down at T's a couple weeks ago the commisioners wife stated he told the board what is said in an executive meeting stays in an executive meeting. What are they hiding? Maybe the county should investigate.

    Thank goodness the county is able to carry the load as stories such as this shows. Maybe a county officer will arrest the commisioner for impersonating a police officer.

    -- Posted by gingb2 on Tue, Mar 25, 2008, at 8:05 PM
  • You know bingoII, you get a lot of information at "T's"! Can I get in on these card games or am I old enough? If I need a partner I can always ask Mr. crafton to throw on a gray wig and tag along (with a tape recoorder). Maybe he can fill us in on the scoops he can't print in the Banner.

    Oddly, I miss Cdalepres and loonie throwing in their two scents. Now that my sinuses are clear, there is an absence of S.O.farty blaming the Dayvus/Whitaykur duo.

    -- Posted by Xgamer on Tue, Mar 25, 2008, at 9:11 PM
  • Oops, really didn't mean to save that last post. mad-mom's gonna ground me.

    -- Posted by Xgamer on Tue, Mar 25, 2008, at 9:17 PM
  • I don't have as much faith in the press as Xgamer. If you wish to put a wig on the press and take them to a beauty salon or friendly card game, there is no guarantee anything worth researching will be printed.

    You are off the topic of the article though unless of course you thought the story left more questions than it did answers.

    I on the other hand do not miss the thoughtless comments from the sad and misguided. Hopefully they will continue their silence.

    -- Posted by gingb2 on Wed, Mar 26, 2008, at 4:56 PM
  • We in Cloverdale want the same thing everyone else does. We want a town board with some moral ethics that runs the town responsibly. We want a police department that we can trust to hold the law enforcement code of ethics. We want a safe environment in which to raise our children. We want our town to be free of theft, drugs, abuse and violence. Small towns used to be a place of honesty and integrity, where everyone had the best interest of the community in mind.

    If I am not mistaken, the Putnam County Sheriff's Department covers all the communities of Putnam county - not just Greencastle. What they do is a concern to everyone countywide.

    And gingb2, it seems that cards at T's is a glorified gossip session. Is this firsthand information you all are passing around?

    -- Posted by cloverlady on Thu, Mar 27, 2008, at 12:40 PM
  • Meanwhile, back to the topic! I think it is fascinating how these dealers are found on the highways. I do know they have training for what to look for, but still the amount of highway bust is impressive.

    gingb2, the next time you're getting your blue refurbished on that noggin, see if you can get any insight on that!

    -- Posted by Xgamer on Sat, Mar 29, 2008, at 5:57 AM
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