Police make major drug bust in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ind. (WISH) - Police have busted a Columbus drug ring, accused of dealing hundreds of pounds of marijuana.

Lt. Joe Richardson of the Columbus Police Department said, "This is not something you would typically see in the Columbus area. This is probably one of the largest, if not the largest, drug raid or drug arrests that we've ever had."

The investigation into the drug ring started a few months ago after someone tipped off police.

Columbus police raided 352 S. Cherry St. around nine o'clock Thursday night.

Authorities confiscated 536 pounds of marijuana worth a half million dollars, 17 guns, $30,000 in cash and five vehicles.

"It's a real concern to us locally," said Lt. Richardson. "The marijuana would have most likely circulated through Columbus and surrounding counties as well. This has taken a lot of marijuana off the street, and this has cost someone a lot of money in product."

Police said the suspects tried to run away. But police arrested Mark Prouse, 32, Albert March, 23 and 50-year-old Roger Leonard, who lived in the raided home.

Police also arrested Edgar Jimenez, 35, Rubicel Gonzalez, 23, Charles Fields, 18 and 44-year-old Miguel Santana -- all of Columbus.

The men are in jail on drug dealing charges. Two more suspects got away and are still at-large.