On November 12, a group of 45 law enforcement officers simultaneously arrested 11 people on drug charges in Starbuck and Glenwood.

The West Central Minnesota Narcotics Task Force conducted an extensive two month long investigation that led to the arrests.

According to the Task Force, during the investigation, agents purchased large amounts of prescription drugs along with methamphetamine and cocaine. Agents purchased over 400 prescription pills, 31 grams of methamphetamine and 4.8 grams of cocaine during the investigation. The prescription pills included Morphine, Adderall, Vicodin and others.

All 11 people arrested were charged in Pope County District Court on November 13. All of the people charged have plead not guilty to the drug charges. The following details what each person was charged with:

• Traci Lynn Anderson, 41, of Glenwood, charged with one count aiding and abetting second degree controlled substance crime, aiding and abetting fourth degree controlled substance crime, and child endangerment-exposing a child to meth, plead not guilty.

• Jessica Lee Strassburg, 32, of Hector, charged with first degree controlled substance- sales, plead not guilty.

• Charles Manuel Willert, 27, of Hector, charged with one count aiding and abetting first degree controlled substance crime, plead not guilty November 13.

• Gerald James Springer II, 29, Glenwood, charged with third degree controlled substance- narcotic sales, fourth degree controlled substance crime, and second degree controlled substance- sale of meth, plead not guilty.

• David Ross Kenyon, 45, of Glenwood, charged with second degree controlled substance- sale of meth, and fourth degree controlled substance- sales, plead not guilty.

• David Anthony Carbone, Jr. 55, of Glenwood, charged with third degree controlled substance- narcotic sales, and fourth degree controlled substance crime, posted bond and released, plead not guilty.

• Sherice Antwronette Cooley, 40, of Glenwood, charged with second degree controlled substance- narcotic sales, plead not guilty.

• Earl Williams, 66, of Glenwood, charged with first degree controlled substance- narcotic sales in excess of 50 grams, and second degree controlled substance- narcotic sales, plead not guilty.

• Jacqueline Marie Springer, 28, of Glenwood, charged with third degree controlled substance- narcotic sales, and fourth degree controlled substance crime, released on own recognizance November 13, plead not guilty.

• Christine Lee Dick, 35, of Glenwood, charged with third degree controlled substance crime- narcotic sales, and fourth degree controlled substance crime, plead not guilty.

• Sara Marie Davis-Ninow, 24, Starbuck, charged with two counts of fifth degree controlled substance crime, plead not guilty

• Shaun Michael Field, 24, address unknown, was arrested in Douglas County, his charges were unknown as of Monday morning

Larson said the Pope County Sheriff's Office initiated the investigation when an informant offered to help authorities tap into the area's drug subculture. "It's not very often that we have a resource like that available to a community like ours so we made use of it," Larson said. The West Central Minnesota Narcotics Task Force reportedly led the undercover drug buys and subsequent investigation which extended beyond Pope County into Douglas, Renville and Kandiyohi Counties, as well.

More arrests are expected as the investigation continues.