The Portage Police Department is saying that it closed a drug house on Wednesday after the PPD’s SWAT Team executed an arrest warrant there.

According to police, at 8:46 p.m. the SWAT Team made entry into the residence of Frank C. Quarles, 26, at 3317 Sunnybrook St., to serve an arrest warrant on Quarles charging him with dealing in a controlled substance.

Once inside, “SWAT officers found four adults smoking marijuana in the living room while a 3-year-old child was secured in a bathroom down the hall,” police said. “The child was placed in the bathroom to keep him away from the adults while they were all smoking marijuana.”

Recovered during a search of the residence, police said: marijuana smoking pipes, cash, “a large jar containing marijuana that was packaged for individual sales,” a loaded AR-15 rifle next to a bed, a machete protruding from beneath the bed’s mattress, and “evidence that the resident may support the Invaders motorcycle gang.”

Quarles was taken into custody and in addition to the warrant was charged with maintaining a common nuisance, possession with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of paraphernalia, police said.

Another resident at 3317 Sunnybrook St., Kira M. Sheeman, 21, was arrested on charges of neglect of a dependent, possession of a controlled substance, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of marijuana, and possession of paraphernalia, police said.

Eric A. Loeffler, 26, of 5084 Marquette Road in Portage, was arrested on a charge of visiting a common nuisance, police said.

And Tina M. Rodriguez, 45, of 57 Bass Drive in Portage, was arrested on a charge of visiting a common nuisance and possession of marijuana, police said.

“After the raid, the child was removed from the residence by Child Protective Services and Portage Animal Control removed multiple animals,” police said.

Police Chief Troy Williams said, “The opportunity to shut down an active drug house within our great city should serve notice to others that if you allow or participate in this type of criminal activity you can expect a similar response from the Portage Police Department and our SWAT Team.”

Posted 2/1/2013