Left, Stevens Point Police Assistant Chief Marty Skibba (right) with Chief Kevin Ruder (left). (City-Times photo)

By Brandi Makuski

Officials from the Stevens Point Police Department say about ten ounces of marijuana with a street value of about $4,000 was confiscated during an early morning raid at two area homes Friday.

A joint force including Stevens Point and Plover police departments as well as the Portage County Sheriff’s Office executed search warrants at 1632 Main Street and 2308 Center Street. Stevens Point Assistant Police Chief Marty Skibba said the raids were conducted only minutes apart to avoid any communication between the homes in case alleged drug activity was related. It was later determined the homes were no connected.

According to a SPPD press release Monday, the Stevens Point SWAT team was called into action to secure both residences while investigators executed search warrants.

“We utilized the SWAT Team just because of the fact that drugs and weapons go hand in hand- not in all cases, but it’s common,” said Sgt. Joe Gruber, supervisor investigation bureau for SPPD.

“The SWAT Team by law has to knock and announce (their presence), and if nobody answers the door, the doors are forced open,” he said, adding that was the case with both residences.

Gruber added there were 10 or 11 people inside the Main St. residence. Two people were home at the Center St. location. Gruber said weapons were found during the searches but none were seized.

“It’s typical for us to find weapons,” Gruber said. “We found two handguns and several long guns used for hunting, but they were not illegal and they were not seized.”

About five ounces of marijuana was found in each home, as well as paraphernalia and marijuana candy, he said.

Gruber said “known individuals” were still being investigated for selling drugs but no charges have yet been filed.

“The drug enforcement officer developed information and those cases are ongoing,” Gruber said. “Based on what we found in the house, there will be charges.”