Several suspects out of the 15 people accused of being part of a local cocaine distribution ring appeared in Brown County court Wednesday,
Those people were arrested Tuesday, and are now facing multiple charges including conspiracy to distribute cocaine, maintaining a drug stash house, child neglect, and felony possession of drugs and paraphernalia.
Multiple residences in Brown County were used as part of drug ring operations houses since June 2016, according to investigators. One Eastman Avenue home is described by prosecutors as a hotbed of activity.
According to prosecutors, three men are considered "top tier" suspects in this case. Investigators say Charles Howard, Joshua Cook, and James Allen are the alleged "ringleaders" in this case.
The information was obtained by investigators through more than 40 controlled buys during a six-month period. In one instance, more than a kilo of cocaine was recovered.
Three handguns, approximately $10,000 in U.S. currency, and controlled substances including cocaine, cocaine base, marijuana and psilocybin were seized during Tuesday's arrests.
Several suspects are either directly related or in relationships with one another, according to officers.
Deputies say the investigation is ongoing, and official charges are still pending for many suspects. Everyone is being held right now on probable cause.
