Couple arrested following undercover drug operation | Crime

An undercover drug purchase by Lawrence County sheriff’s deputies ended with an Imboden couple in jail.

On Wednesday, deputies arrested 35-year-old James Mandera and 44-year-old Melanie Mandera on the following charges:

• Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana)
• Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana)
• Possession of a Controlled Substance (Hydrocodone)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms

James Mandera, who is a convicted felon, was also charged with Resisting Arrest and Felony Possession of a Firearm.

According to an email from Sheriff Jody Dotson, deputies executed a search warrant at the Mandera’s home following an “undercover buy that was captured on video at the Mandera residence.”

Inside the home, Dotson said deputies found nearly a pound of marijuana along with hydrocodone pills, scales, baggies, rolling papers, pipes, a gun and cash.

Sheriff Dotson said the deputies also recovered the marked “buy” money undercover detectives used in the transaction.

James and Melanie Mandera are currently being held at the Lawrence County Jail awaiting a bond hearing.