New Buffalo man facing drug dealing charges

BY STAN MADDUX

ANew Buffalo man is looking at potential time in prison for allegedly selling methamphetamine.

Mark Wingard, 45, is charged with dealing methamphetamine, maintaining a drug house and engaging in illegal drug related activity close to a school.

He was arrested Feb. 16 at his home at 1305 Bell Ave., which is just a short walk from New Buffalo Middle School-High School.

Berrien County Police Deputy Shawn Yech said enough methamphetamine to distribute for sale was confiscated during a search of the residence.

Other items seized were used syringes and used smoking pipes along with other things like a digital scale, packaging material and some processed marijuana, he said.

Yech said Wingard was dealing methamphetamine to support his habit and profit financially.

“It appeared like most people that Mark Wingard was using and selling drugs,” he said.

He said the investigation began late last year in response to anonymous concerns about heavy vehicular traffic at his residence and information about his alleged dealings surfacing in other unrelated drug cases in Berrien County.

Yech said his activities were not on a large scale but he did have customers from a fairly wide area in places like Galien and Michigan City.

“There was quite a few people buying and selling for Mark Wingard,” he said.

Yech said the investigation will now focus on determining his supplier.

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