The Barton County Sheriff’s Office reports arresting suspects Justin Campbell and Shawn Taylor on drug charges following two vehicular searches on Tuesday, Sept. 12.

The arrests came about 11 hours apart, starting with one around 1:20 a.m. A deputy was in the 800 block of Patton Road in Great Bend and observed a silver, 2019 Ford F-150 with expired registration.

The deputy stopped the truck near the intersection of Patton Road and Oil Center Road South and made contact with the driver, 43-year-old Campbell of Great Bend.

“During the course of the stop, it was determined Campbell had a suspended driver’s license and was placed under arrest,” Bellendir stated in a news release. “The K9 unit from the Great Bend Police Department was requested to come to the location and indicated the presence of a controlled substance in and around the vehicle. A search of the vehicle was conducted and suspected methamphetamine, fentanyl and drug paraphernalia were discovered.”

Campbell was transported the Barton County Jail without incident and booked on requested charges of possession of controlled substances, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended and operation of a motor vehicle with expired registration. He has since posted a $10,000 bond and was released.

The second case

Around 12:25 p.m. a BCSO deputy on active patrol observed a vehicle backed into the trees at the roadside park, Fort Zarah, just east of Great Bend. The deputy made contact with the occupant of the vehicle, identified as Taylor, age 49, of Great Bend.

“Taylor admitted to having controlled substances in the vehicle and further investigation revealed the presence of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia,” Bellendir stated. “Taylor was placed under arrest and transported the Barton County Jail without incident.”

Taylor was booked on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Taylor has since posted a $10,000 bond and was released.”