McCook police raid meth lab, five arrested

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Police Department executed a “no knock” search warrant on a West 15th Street trailer house last week and successfully shut down what they believe was an active methamphetamine manufacturing operation.

Five suspects were arrested following the early morning raid of 1401 West 15th Street on June 4, with four of them now facing felony controlled substance manufacturing charges. Two of the suspects, 35-year-old James Bonacci and 31-year-old Vincent Bonacci, have already had felony criminal cases stemming from the arrest boundover to Red Willow County District Court. Both men are facing a Class 2A felony alleging they manufactured methamphetamine, in addition to a Class IV felony alleging possession of meth.

Two others are facing the same charges, 59-year-old Carrie Swigert and 26-year-old Jessica Cole, and are scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Red Willow County Court today.

The fifth suspect, 30-year-old Shanda Blake, is similarly scheduled for a preliminary hearing today, however, Blake is facing a Class IV felony alleging possession of meth and an infraction alleging possession of drug paraphernalia.

Chief of Police Isaac Brown indicated earlier this week it had been some time since a meth manufacturing operation was encountered in McCook. He had high praise for his officers investigative work and planning of the operation, as well for how it was carried out.

“I’m very pleased on several scores,” said Chief Brown, adding the investigation was initiated by patrol officers who in-turn did an excellent job of carrying out the search warrant, with the support of supervisors and senior leadership. “Executing the search warrant went very well and resulted in no physical altercations or injuries of any kind. We’re very pleased with the outcome,” he said.

Any time law enforcement officers are dealing with individuals manufacturing, possessing or under the influence of drugs, they are in a highly volatile and high risk situation, according to Chief Brown. “It’s important to do that safely,” he said.

Chief Brown said information received from area residents and businesses was tremendously valuable to investigators when it came to combating controlled substance manufacturing operations. He said he was also very grateful to the Red Willow County hazmat team and Nebraska State Patrol crime lab for assisting with the testing and handling of suspected meth manufacturing materials confiscated from the home.

“It was a really good day to be a police officer,” added McCook Senior Sgt. Kevin Darling.