Nicholas Ryan Salpas
With help from other agencies, the Oak Ridge Police Department seized more than 70 pounds of marijuana on Wednesday, authorities said.
Police searched a home on Carlisle Lane in Oak Ridge on Wednesday, December 9, with help from the Seventh Judicial District Crime Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
They seized more than 70 pounds of marijuana in vacuum-sealed bags, as well as one vacuum-sealed bag of suspected concentrated THC resin, a press release said.
Nicholas Salpas, 30, the resident and sole occupant of the home at 102 Carlisle Lane, was arrested at the scene, the release said. He was charged with three counts of manufacture, delivery, sale, or possession of a controlled substance, with an enhancement for this activity occurring within a drug-free school zone; possession of drug paraphernalia; theft of property; and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Also seized, according to the press release, were two vehicles registered to Salpas; three weapons, one of which was stolen; manufacturing and packaging material typically used for the sale and distribution of narcotics; drug paraphernalia typically used for personal use; a significant quantity of high-value items; and roughly $4,000 in currency.
On Thursday, December 10, an additional amount of about $19,000 of suspected drug proceeds were seized, pursuant to a supplemental investigation, the press release said. The Seventh Judicial District Attorney General’s Office has also placed a lien against the property located at 102 Carlisle Lane, pursuant to forfeiture proceedings.
“Additional arrests and seizures in this investigation are anticipated,” the release said. “The investigation is active and ongoing, and no further information shall be released at this time.”
ORPD said it wants to thank the law enforcement partners who participated in the investigation: the Seventh Judicial District Crime Task Force, the Seventh Judicial District Attorney General’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. They provided “outstanding cooperation and assistance in identifying and targeting Mr. Salpas and others in this significant investigation,” the release said.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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Rob Shaffer says
Chasing down harmless plants only wastes taxpayer money and police resources. It doesn’t accomplish anything except for filling the coffers of law agencies with drug money. Citizens should be able to walk into a dispensary and purchase safe, legal marijuana. The only ones profiting from all this are cartels and law enforcement. Legalization is the socially responsible thing to do.
Tracy Stout Powers says
But it’s not legal now, so…..
Good job, ORPD!