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Kan. inmate orchestrates drug deals over jail pay phone

3 arrested, more than a pound of meth seized

Associated Press

GREAT BEND — A central Kansas sheriff says a tip that a jail inmate was orchestrating drug deals using the facility’s pay phone system has led to the arrest of three people and seizure of more than a pound of methamphetamine.

Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir says calls from inmates at the county jail are recorded and both parties are warned about the recordings. A detective monitored the calls and search warrants were executed Tuesday at three addresses in Ellinwood and Great Bend.

The sheriff says 1 1/2 pounds of meth with a street value of $50,000 were found at the three locations.

A 26-year-old Great Bend woman, 32-year-old Great Bend man and an inmate at the Barton County jail are facing various drug charges.

Bellendir says further arrests are anticipated.