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Ten Arrested in Teton County Drug Bust

Ten Arrested in Teton County Drug Bust

By KFBB News Team

Story Created: Jul 1, 2009 at 4:11 PM MST

Story Updated: Jul 1, 2009 at 4:48 PM MST

Ten suspects were arrested during a major marijuana bust in Teton and Pondera Counties. About 20 officers from local, state, and federal agencies made arrests in Choteau, Power, as well as Pondera County.

The Teton County Sheriff's Office says this investigation started in 2007 and that 55 pounds of marijuana came through Teton County during the past two years. The estimated street value is more than $200,000.

The main suspects, Chip Buckman and James Nutter, were each charged with 11 felony counts. They are both residents of Choteau.

"One of the folks arrested is known as the go-to man for the high school students. It speaks volumes that were we able to take him away," said Teton County Sheriff Keith Van Setten.

Choteau residents reacted to the bust in their normally quiet community.

"i'm glad they are cleaning up this place. If there is more, I hope they get them," said Gary Durocher.

"It's kind of shocking for Choteau Montana," said Deana Henderson.

"it's not surprising, said Vangie Scott. "I knew there was something in the works."

Officers from Teton and Cascade County Sheriffs Office teamed up with the Great Falls Police Department, the Montana Department of Criminal Investigations, US Immigration Control and Enforcement, along with US Customs and Border Protection. Even the Border Patrol's Black Hawk Helicopter was used in the bust.

"This should be a message that wherever you are in Montana, it doesn't matter," said Cascade County Sheriff David Castle. "If you are dealing drugs in Power Montana, we'll be around."

Sheriff Van Setten says that there is still much work to be done in this investigation, including the questioning of 30 additional persons of interest. He adds that one suspect had bragged about his drug operation, calling himself the Pablo Escobar of Choteau.

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Dave said on Thursday, Jul 2 at 11:47 AM

The street value of the weed that passed through there was over 200k, but how much tax payer money did you waste just to get a couple marijuana dealers off the street?? The other dealers will just take over. You can't stop drugs with law enforcement, it's been tried for decades and has never worked, quit wasting our money on law enforcement.

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