ROCHESTER – A major drug bust in Rochester resulted in the seizure of three pounds of meth, two pounds of methadone pills, 21 guns, and over $200,000 seized.
Yesterday at approximately 5:40 p.m., a traffic stop by Indiana State Troopers led to the arrests of Sarah Hine, 25, Brandy Fletcher, 42, Stephan Howard, 54, all from Rochester, and William James, 48, of Elkhart.
All four were incarcerated in the Fulton County Jail to face preliminary criminal charges for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Fletcher, Hine, and Howard face additional charges for dealing methamphetamine, dealing in a controlled substance, and maintaining a common nuisance. James faces an additional charge for visiting a common nuisance.
Troopers initiated a traffic stop on a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck driven by Howard on U.S. 31, near Fulton CR 375 North, for an unsafe lane movement.
While the troopers were speaking to Howard, officers became suscipicous. A Rochester Police officer and his narcotics K9 arrived to assist. The dog indicated the presence of illegal narcotics inside the vehicle, according to a press release from the ISP.
During a search of the truck and its three occupants, officers allegedly found approximately four grams of methamphetamine and approximately $10,504 cash.
