By Brandi Makuski

A Waupaca man faces multiple drug charges for his alleged involvement in a Minnesota/Wisconsin drug ring.

John Cain, 37, was arrested on Feb. 24 after a lengthy investigation by the Central Wisconsin Drug Task Force. He was arrested for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and his second offense of THC possession while on a return trip from St. Paul, Minn.

According to the criminal complaint, narcotics officers from Portage Co., working with investigators in multiple counties, obtained a warrant to place the suspect under surveillance as part of a larger investigation.

Cain’s movements were reportedly followed Feb. 23 and 24 to various suspected drug contacts, including several homes in St. Paul.

The vehicle was also tracked to Prior Lake, Minn., shortly before 4 AM on Feb. 24, where it stayed until departing for Wisconsin at about 5:30 AM.

Surveillance units observed the suspect’s vehicle — a 2006 Dodge Caravan — travelling south through Marathon Co., where Cain made a stop on the 700 block of 3rd Ave. in Wausau at about 10:45 AM, dropping off an unknown female passenger, the complaint said.

Cain returned to the road alone, heading south on I-39, then east on Hwy. 66, where he was stopped by a Portage Co. K-9 Unit at about 2:30 PM. A narcotics officer was also called to the scene after K-9 Lady indicated there were drugs in the vehicle.

Officers confiscated from the vehicle three baggies of meth totaling 22.8 grams, according to the complaint, along with a bag containing 5.2 grams of marijuana. Also found in the vehicle were clothing items and a Wisconsin Quest Card belonging to a woman.

Cain’s next court date has not yet been scheduled.

A second defendant, 38-year-old Jason Sculley, was also involved in the incident but was not in the Cain’s vehicle when it was stopped by deputies. Sculley faces multiple counts of manufacturing or possession of/with intent to deliver amphetamine, as well as possession of a short-barreled shotgun. He returns to court for a pre-trial conference on Sept. 11 at 9:30 AM.