On Thursday, Oct. 3 at at 12:05 p.m., officers from the Great Bend Police Department responded to The Baltzell Motel, 705 10th Street. lot #25, in Great Bend in reference to the execution of a search warrant for illegal narcotics.
Officers apprehended James Skinner, age 58 and Meryl Ramirez, age 54. During a search of the residence, detectives located over a quarter-pound of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and evidence of drug distribution. Skinner and Ramirez were arrested and transported to the Barton County Jail.
Skinner and Ramirez were each booked on charges of distribution of methamphetamine (over 100 grams) within 1000' of property owned by USD 428, possession of drug paraphernalia and no drug tax stamp. Skinner and Ramirez were each booked in lieu of $300,000 cash surety. The investigation is ongoing.
This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident or any case is encouraged to contact the Great Bend Police Department at 620-793-4120 or Crimestoppers at 620-792-1300 or online at p3tips.com.