Marijuana probe ends in methamphetamine bust

By Vera Haffey, The Montana Standard - 01/14/2007

ANACONDA — An undercover investigation aimed at cracking down on marijuana traffic ended with a methamphetamine bust and warrants for the arrest of two suspects.

Carla Ann Marshall, 42, 409 Cherry St., made an initial appearance Wednesday in district court, where she was charged with criminal distribution of dangerous drugs by accountability, a felony. She appeared without her lawyer, but entered a plea of not guilty on his advice, she said.

Documents were also filed charging Grant Marshall Kopp, 26, no address, with criminal distribution of dangerous drugs, a felony, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

The maximum sentence for the offenses is life in prison and a $50,000 fine.

According to court documents, agents from the Southwest Montana Drug Task Force and the Anaconda Police Department cooperated in a narcotics investigation on the marijuana distribution activities of another individual on May 31, 2006.

In the investigation, Marshall allegedly called a confidential informant and said that methamphetamine was available for sale at her house at 409 Cherry St.

When the informant arrived at Marshall’s house, Marshall allegedly made a phone call and a short time later, Kopp arrived, records show. With Marshall present, Kopp allegedly sold one gram of methamphetamine to the informant, who was supplied with $240 for the deal.

Court records say Marshall is accountable for Kopp’s actions because she aided him in committing the offense.

Marshall is free after posting $5,000 bond, pending further court appearances.

— Vera Haffey, The Montana Standard