The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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September 1, 2010

Eighteen arrested for variety of narcotics violations

Heroin among drugs involved

Free Press Staff Writer

NEW ULM — Eighteen people were arrested in and around New Ulm Tuesday for a variety of narcotics violations.

Authorities said the action was the result of an 8-month investigation in which undercover agents purchased prescription medications, methamphetamine, ecstasy, marijuana and heroin.

Brown-Lyon-Lincoln-Redwood Drug Task Force Commander Jeff Hohensee said this is the first heroin purchased in the New Ulm area in his 19-year career.

He said he believes the reason for the heroin appearance is the increased number of people abusing narcotic-based prescription painkillers such as OxyContin.

The users substitute heroin for OxyContin, depending on the availability of both drugs.

The Drug Task Force spent more than $10,000 for the purchase of narcotics and related services.

The agency was assisted by state and regional Bureau of Criminal Apprehension staff, the Nicollet and Brown County Sheriff’s Departments, the Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force and New Ulm police.

Hohensee said he anticipates more arrests to come.

Those arrested were:

Matthew Dreyer, 23, New Ulm; Hollin Bock, 30, New Ulm; Jacob Ehret, 28, New Ulm; Jordan Drexler, 18, New Ulm; Nicholas Luepke, 19, Courtland.

Victoria Damakowski, 21, New Ulm; Amy Drexler, 41, New Ulm; Elias Hughes, 21, New Ulm; William Braulick, 20, New Ulm; Sean Dufner, 20, New Ulm.

Eric Torgusen, 19, New Ulm; Justin Wonn, 22, New Ulm; Jared Netzke, 23, New Ulm; Joseph Rewitzer, 19, New Ulm.

Amanda Schottle, 20, New Ulm; Gergory Nessett Jr., 27, New Ulm; Amelia Severson, 20, Fairfax; and Matthew Luepke, 17, Courtland.



—Brian Ojanpa

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