Drugs and money were confiscated as part of a drug bust in Mercer County.
Photo courtesy of Mercer County Sheriff’s Office
Five Mercer County residents were arrested Monday night on drug-related charges.
The Heroin Interdiction Team, a joint effort between the Mercer County Sheriff and the Celina and Coldwater Police Departments, was working on tips received by law enforcement about suspected drug activity occurring at a Celina residence. Deputies stopped a vehicle leaving the residence after the driver committed a traffic violation.
The Sheriff’s Office K9, Hex, searched around the vehicle and alerted deputies to the presence of narcotics. A search of the vehicle yielded suspected methamphetamines. Joseph Gardner, 33, of Mendon was arrested for a fifth-degree felony charge of possession of methamphetamines. Gardner was incarcerated at the Mercer County Adult Detention Facility and held without bond.
Acting Celina Municipal Court Judge Louis J. Schiavone then granted a search warrant for 506 N. Mill St. in Celina. Authorities recovered drugs and cash from the residence and arrested four individuals.
Celina residents Brittany Muter, 20, Brandan Montague, 28, and Andrea Rinderle, 21, were arrested and face fifth-degree felony charges of possession of drugs. They are currently held on no bond.
Michael McLeland, 37, another Celina resident, was charged with a fourth-degree misdemeanor of possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $50,000 subject to 10% by Mercer County Probate Juvenile Judge Matthew L. Gilmore.
The Heroin Interdiction Team was assisted by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office in preparation for the search warrant.
