9/16/2008 11:11:00 AM Meth, marijuana-growing
operation discovered on farm Two arrested in Getty Township,
(Pictured left) Steven John Ahrens; (middle) Luke Scott Thang; (right) Samuel Adam Mark Bennett
* Also detained were 18-year-old Breanna Bonae Ebel and a 42-year-old man. Ebel is expected to be charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. The other man was released without charges.
By Bryan Zollman
Two men were arrested last Tuesday and authorities are looking for another man who fled the scene at a Getty Township farm where the Stearns County Drug and Gang Task Force discovered a marijuana-growing operation, 44 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded rifle.
Luke Scott Thang, 28, of Sauk Centre, was arrested after trying to flee the scene and will be charged with first degree sales of methamphetamine. Steven John Ahrens, 33, of Fridley, was arrested for three felony warrants and is under investigation for distribution of narcotics.
Samual Adam Mark Bennett, 23, fled on foot and remains at large. A loaded rifle was located in a motor vehicle attributed to Bennett.
Breanna Bonae Ebel, 18, was also detained and could be charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. A fifth man was also detained but released without charges.
According to information provided by the Stearns County Sheriff's Office, investigators from the Drug and Gang Task Force, along with Stearns County deputies, executed a search warrant for 42767 330th Street in Getty Township, which is located near Padua.
Investigators had conducted a three-month investigation into drug trafficking at the rural farm which led to the search warrant.
Upon execution of the warrant, investigators encountered five people and seized the methamphetamine said to have a street value of more than $5,000, a .22 caliber rifle, currency and paraphernalia used for the distribution of narcotics. Investigators also discovered marijuana was being grown on the property.
Ahrens had felony warrants out in Wright, Douglas and Stearns Counties, including a warrant for misdemeanor theft in Sauk Centre.
The Sauk Centre Police provided information that helped lead to last Tuesday's arrests. Stearns County Sheriff John Sanner said the investigation will continue as coconspirators are being sought for questioning and possible charges.
