Drug operation nets charges at 3 bars

A Shawano police drug detail over the weekend at several city taverns netted the referral of drug charges against three people, including a felony charge against a Bowler man. Police used a confidential informant wired for sound to arrange drug transactions with patrons at four establishments. One of the cases was still under investigation. The operation started just after 10:30 p.m. Friday at Billy’s, 1100 S. Main St., when the confidential informant made contact with a male subject later identified as Brett A. Miller, 34, of Bowler. Police monitored the conversation in which the informant arranged to get cocaine from Miller, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday in Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court. Miller and the informant went to Miller’s vehicle in the parking lot where Miller allegedly passed 0.03 grams of cocaine to the informant. Miller was then taken into custody without incident. Police followed that shortly after 1 a.m. Saturday with a similar operation at the Brickstone Inn, 622 E. Green Bay St. Charges of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia have been referred against a 45-year-old Michigan man in connection with that incident. Shortly after 2 a.m., a similar effort at Hensel’s Shawano Inn, 134 S. Washington St., resulted in the arrest of a 22-year-old Shawano man on a charge of obstructing an officer, which has been referred to the district attorney’s office. He was also issued ordinance citations for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. About 2:30 a.m., police continued the operation at Headquarters, 121 S. Washington St. That case was still under investigation, according to Capt. Jeff Heffernon. Heffernon said the operation — known as “barcrafting,” in which, he said, authorities “work the bars” — was part of the department’s enhanced efforts toward dealing with illegal drugs in the city. “This was a fruitful effort,” Heffernon said. The Shawano Common Council last year authorized an additional $25,000 in the budget directed to anti-drug operations. Miller was ordered held Monday on a $1,500 cash bond after an appearance before Judge William Kussel Jr. and is due back in court for an adjourned initial appearance Tuesday. Miller could face 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine if convicted.