GREENFIELD — An Indianapolis man accused of selling drugs three times to a police informant since the first of the year is in the Hancock County Jail, where he faces five drug charges.
After a lengthy narcotics investigation, the Greenfield Police Department arrested Christopher Baxter, 30, of Indianapolis. Police had received several tips Baxter was dealing narcotics in the area, officials said.
Using a confidential source, GPD detectives began conducting controlled purchases from Baxter, according to an affidavit. The purchases took place between Jan. 1 and March 13 in Greenfield and used cash from the police department’s Investigative Aid Fund.
During the first meeting, the source bought a “crystal-like substance” from Baxter, the affidavit said. The substance turned out to be methamphetamine, according to tests conducted later, the affidavit said.
The second and third purchases were for packages of heroin, the court document said. The document does not mention how much money and drugs changed hands.
After the purchases, the police department caught up with Baxter when they pulled over a car in which he was a passenger on the westbound ramp in the northeast quadrant of the Interstate I-70/ Mt. Comfort Road interchange.
The traffic stop was conducted by Officer Caleb Freeman. He was assisted by officers Nicholas Wright and Stephen Kalk. During a pat-down of Baxter, he told police he had drugs hidden on him.
Freeman found a bottle stuffed with several plastic bags. Five of them contained a brownish-colored substance; one bag contained a crystal-like substance; and two plastic bags containing a white-colored substance. Officers also recovered $600 in cash.
Police said the substances were methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine, the report said. The total approximate weights of the items of evidence show 1 gram of methamphetamine, 2 grams of cocaine and 13 grams of heroin.
Baxter has been charged with dealing heroin, a Level 2 Felony carrying a sentence up to 20 years in prison; dealing methamphetamine, a Level 4 Felony with a sentence of to 12 years in prison; possession of cocaine, a Level 4 felony; and charges of possession of heroin and methamphetamine, both Level 6 felonies.
Baxter remains in the Hancock County Jail. He made his first court appearance Thursday.
Chief Jeff Rasche of the Greenfield Police Department said the arrest reflects a disturbing trend in drug trafficking in the county.
“We’re just finding more and more people outside of Hancock County coming over here doing their dirty deeds,” Rasche said.
Rasche is proud of the work his officers are doing to try and keep drugs out of the area.
“We’re going stay focused on this,” said Rasche, noting that GPD has a detective dedicated to investigating drug cases. “We’re going to remain steadfast to keep our community clean.”
