Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
A multi-agency drug sting on Halloween combined city, county and other area law enforcement agencies with a couple of new recruits in the war on drugs—a pair of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
According to a criminal complaint filed this week, officers costumed as the turtles executed a drug buy from a Shawano man after making contact with him at the Longhorn Saloon, 1181 S. Main St., in Shawano.
The bust was part of an organized “bar crafting” operation aimed at ferreting out suspected drug activity in the city.
The undercover turtles went into the Longhorn around 10:20 p.m. Friday, according to the criminal complaint, with one of them wired for sound and carrying a transmitter in a purse.
According to the criminal complaint, the turtles arranged to buy $10 worth of marijuana from a customer at the bar, Jarrid J. Curtin, 23, of Shawano.
They followed him out to a vehicle in the parking lot where, the complaint alleges, Curtin had a bag of marijuana and a grinder in the trunk of his car.
According to the complaint, the turtles purchased 0.5 grams of marijuana from Curtin before other uncostumed authorities moved in and made the arrest.
According to police, the arrest was made without incident; no ninjutsu was required.
The operation was organized by Shawano police, who were assisted by the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department and officers from the Stockbridge-Munsee, Bonduel and Gillett police departments.
Curtin was charged Monday with felony counts of manufacture and delivery of marijuana and possession with intent to deliver marijuana. He could face a maximum 3½ years in prison and $10,000 fine on each count if found guilty.
Curtin posted an $800 cash bond and is due in court for an adjourned initial appearance Nov. 17.