Tribal police seize 102 plants, 14 pounds of marijuana
Three men were arraigned in Isabella County on Sept. 28 in connection to a marijuana grow operation.
The Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Department arrested John Bendele, 43, Raymond Lynn, 20, and Joseph Terrell, 19 on Sept. 27. Upon serving a search warrant, officers found an "unusually high" number of marijuana plants at the location in Chippewa Township.
Public Relations Director Frank Cloutier said the case is going through tribal court, but may be moved to federal court.
"The federal government has taken a very serious stance on marijuana violations found on federal reservations," he said.
Approximately 14 pounds of marijuana and several guns were found at the operation. Officers also seized 102 marijuana plants. Police were alerted to the possible grow operation on Sept. 27.
"It is our intention to seek out and expose any individual or group conducting illegal drug operations within our reservation and surrounding lands," said Tribal Chief Steve Pego in a press release. "We will seek prosecution to the fullest extent of the law. I am proud that we have such a diligent police department and we can count on them to ensure we meet this War on Drugs head on."
Check back with Central Michigan Life for more information as this story develops.
