Butler County drug sweep nets numerous arrests

A drug sweep in Butler County on Tuesday resulted in more than two dozen arrests, authorities said.

An investigation that began in February 2015 has thus far resulted in 84 cases and warrants being issued for 56 suspects, El Dorado police Chief Curt Zieman said in a statement read live at a news conference and posted on the department’s Facebook page.

Law enforcement officers had arrested 28 people as of 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Zieman said. Another seven suspects identified in the investigation are in jail on unrelated charges.

One person identified as a suspect died before a request for prosecution was made, Zieman said.

Some suspects face multiple charges, he said. The cases presented to the Butler County District Attorney’s Office resulted in the following alleged offenses.

▪ Sale of meth: 43 counts

▪ Sale of meth within 1,000 feet of a school: 5 counts

▪ Sale of prescription pills: 24 counts

▪ Sale of marijuana: 11 counts

▪ Sale of cocaine: 2 counts

▪ Sale of a simulated controlled substance: 2 counts

▪ Use of a communication device to facilitate a drug sale: 5 counts

Zieman took no questions and released no further information because the investigation has not yet been concluded.

“An operation of this scale stretches the resources to their limits, but our people stepped up to the challenge,” he said.

Police officers in El Dorado and Andover executed the warrant sweeps, as well as Butler County sheriff’s deputies.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Wichita Police Department and the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the investigation, Zieman said.

This story was originally published December 6, 2016 at 4:46 PM with the headline "Butler County drug sweep nets numerous arrests."