Meth recovered in arrest of three Friday

    Illegal distribution of methamphetamine has been a focal point of a Chase County Sheriff’s Department investigation for several months.
    That resulted in the arrest of three men Friday night on drug-related  charges.
    The sheriff’s office recovered approximately 396 grams of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of roughly $35,640, said Sheriff Kevin Mueller.            Arrested by Chase County deputies Friday were Jesus F. “Chuy” Acuna, 42, of Imperial and Russell T. Mann, 44, of Enders.
    Jeffrey A. Lytle, 36, of Hamlet was also arrested. Being a Hayes County resident, Lytle was apprehended in Hamlet by the Hayes County Sheriff, Chase County deputies, along with assistance from a Nebraska Game and Parks Officer, Mueller said.  
    Acuna and Mann were jailed in Chase County after their arrests, and remain jailed this week. Acuna, who was arrested in Imperial, has a $1 million bond while Mann, arrested at his residence south of Imperial, is jailed on $500,000. Both must post 10% to be released.
    Lytle is being held at the Lincoln County Jail in North Platte on a $500,000 /10% bond.
    Acuna was charged with possession of (meth) amphetamine 140+ grams, a Class 1b felony; conspiracy to commit a Class 1 felony, which is a Class II felony; and no drug tax stamp, a Class IV felony.         Mann is being held on two counts of possession of (meth) amphetamine (28-139 grams), Class 1C felonies; conspiracy to commit a Class 1 felony (Class II felony), and two counts of no drug tax stamp, Class IV felonies.  
    Acuna and Mann will be arraigned April 14 in Chase County Court.
    Lytle is charged with conspiracy to commit a Class 1 felony (Class II felony).      
    According to the affidavit for arrest warrant, filed in Chase County Court March 3, law officers used a Confidential Informant (CI) in gathering evidence in the case.
    The sheriff said the use and sale of methamphetamine in this region is a problem that is becoming increasingly difficult to address, but will not be tolerated.
    “The sheriff’s office, with the support of county officials, remains committed to mitigating this dangerous drug’s effects on the community,” he said.
    Last week’s arrests also resulted in a substantial amount of information gathered, as well as small amounts of cocaine and other narcotics, Mueller added.    
    The sheriff encourages residents to contact his office with information they believe could be useful for law enforcement.