Press Release

Tyler James Hanish

BEAVER DAM — A Claypool man was arrested on multiple drug charges following an investigation by the Kosciusko County Narcotics Enforcement Team.

According to a press release from the Warsaw Police Department, concerned citizens provided several drug tips to NET 43 that led to an investigation regarding illegal drug activity in the Beaver Dam area.

On Wednesday, Nov. 6, NET 43 officers and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Group executed a search warrant for items associated with dealing illegal drugs at Tyler J. Hanish’s residence, located at 9505 S. 750W, Claypool. Law enforcement also served a warrant on Hanish, 32, for dealing in a fentanyl-containing substance, a Level 2 felony.

NET 43 undercover operations purchased fentanyl from Hanish three separate times over several months. The undercover operation netted approximately 15.7 grams of fentanyl, a narcotic drug; one pound of marijuana, mushrooms, an AR 15 rifle, two handguns, pills, and drug paraphernalia.

The Drug Enforcement Administration reported that 0.002 grams of fentanyl was a potentially lethal dose. The 15.71 grams of fentanyl netted by NET 43 had the potential to cause 7,855 deaths.

Hanish is charged with dealing in a fentanyl-containing substance and dealing in a fentanyl-containing substance with enhancing circumstances, both Level 2 felonies; possession of a narcotic drug with enhancing circumstances, a Level 5 felony; three counts of possession of a narcotic drug and maintaining a common nuisance, all Level 6 felonies; and possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor.

NET 43 is a collaborative law enforcement unit, consisting of officers from the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office, Warsaw Police Department, Indiana State Police, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, Winona Lake Police Department, and the Nappanee Police Department, that remains dedicated to the citizens of Kosciusko County. NET 43 provides integral investigations and enforcement of Indiana’s drug laws.

The investigators of NET 43 would like to remind the citizens of Kosciusko County and surrounding areas they can provide drug tip information by emailing [email protected] or by calling the NET 43 tip line at (574) 372-2494.

The above information was discovered from a police investigation. NET 43 acknowledges the charged defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Pictured, from left, are Warsaw Police Department Chief Scott Whitaker, Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith, and Winona Lake Police Department Chief Joe Hawn. Photo provided by WPD.