'Operation Silver Barrel' nets two more arrests

Two arrests were made last week in "Operation Silver Barrel," an ongoing joint investigation between the Flora Police Department and Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section. The investigation is focused on drug trafficking in the Flora area.

Flora Police Chief Paul Redmon and Sgt. Dennis Randle of the sheriff's department arrested Larry Monroe Brooks, 28, and Charles Edward Fry Jr., 20, both of Flora, on Jan. 25. Bond was set at $20,000 each.

The suspects were each charged with two C-felony counts of dealing marijuana within 1,000 feet of a youth center and two D-felony counts of dealing in marijuana.

"As we continue our investigation and arrests of individuals, I want to make a strong statement to drug offenders," Redmon stated. "We are going to do everything possible to combat the drug problem in the Flora area." Redmon said more charges may be filed against Fry and Brooks by prosecutors Trisha Thompson and Christine Smith upon review of updated information.

Redmon encouraged Flora citizens to call his department at (574) 967-4457 with information about suspicious activity in their neighborhoods. He said more arrests will be made in the near future.