Last month, a member of the South Central Drug Investigation Task Force received a telephone call.

A law enforcement unit had intercepted several packages containing 12 pounds of marijuana.

Street value of the four bundles was estimated at $22,000 and their destination was a residence in Winnebago.

Once notified, local authorities began their own investigation.

“Officers in our department did some surveillance for several hours,” says Police Chief Bob Toland, adding several law agencies were involved in the case.

The marijuana was part of a law enforcement booth during the third annual “Safety Saturday” event sponsored by the Winnebago Women of Today on Oct. 4.

Because no one has been charged or arrested, the marijuana could be displayed because it is not considered to be evidence in a particular case.

Faribault County Sheriff Mike Gormley says drug seizures of this type are not uncommon throughout the state.

Gormley says the marijuana was sent from a location in Texas.

“This isn’t just nickel and dime stuff we have here. We get some pretty big players,” says Gormley.

The drug task force is comprised of Faribault, Freeborn, Waseca and Steele counties.

County authorities are continuing their investigation with other officials to try and determine where the marijuana was headed.

“We just wanted the public to know what types of drugs there are out there,” says Gormley “I don’t think they realize what goes on and the level of drugs there are in their communities.”