On Tuesday, Aug. 15, at about 5:30 p.m., Barton County Sheriff’s Office deputies and detectives executed a search warrant at Finer Mobile Home Park located at 5501 9th Street, lot 96 in the City of Great Bend. The search warrant was part of an ongoing investigation related to illegal drugs and outstanding arrest warrants.
Deputies gained entry to the residence without resistance and located Chet Whetham, age 35 of Great Bend. Whetham had outstanding warrants from Harvey County for distribution of fentanyl.
During the course of the investigation, Sheriff’s Officers discovered methamphetamine, fentanyl tablets, marijuana and suspected fentanyl powder. Whetham was transported to the Barton County Jail and booked on the Harvey County warrant as well as requested charges of distribution of fentanyl and various other drug-related charges for Barton County. Whetham is being held in lieu of a $50,000 bond for Harvey County and an additional bond for Barton County.
The Sheriff’s Office had requested assistance from the Kansas Bureau of investigation for this operation. The KBI has recently added several K9s and handlers who are specifically trained in the detection of fentanyl.
Further arrests from the search warrant are anticipated in the near future.