(BEDFORD) – On Thursday, the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section and the Indiana State Police Bloomington District ACES (Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Section) concluded a lengthy dealing methamphetamine investigation in Lawrence County which resulted in the arrest of two men.
ISP obtained information that 45-year-old Paul A. Diehl, of Bedford, was dealing large quantities of meth. Troopers also discovered Diehl was wanted on two warrants; one out of Henry County and one out of Hamilton County.
ISP Troopers found Diehl sitting in the passenger seat of a 2018 Kia Sorento in the Hardees parking lot in Bedford.
ISP Sgt. Greg Day, Trp. Chance Humphrey, DES Detectives and Officer Shaun Cabral of the Lawrence County Highway Interdiction Team approached the Kia and visually identified Diehl as the passenger.
A semi-automatic AR-style .22 rifle and a 12 gauge shotgun could be seen by officers in plain view.
Diehl exited the Kia and was placed into custody.
The male sitting in the driver’s seat was also asked to exit the vehicle.
As he did so, officers saw a loaded .9mm handgun in his waistband. The driver was identified as 30-year-old Chadwick D. Hayes, of Salem.
Hayes did not have a handgun carry permit and was placed under arrest.
In Hayes’ pockets, troopers found drug paraphernalia and a baggie of methamphetamine. During a search of Diehl, troopers located paraphernalia, marijuana, and more than 10 grams of meth.
Officer Cabral deployed his canine partner, Jack, who gave a positive alert on the Kia. Officers searched the vehicle and located approximately 3 more grams of meth and digital scales.
Both Diehl and Hayes were arrested and transported to the Lawrence County Jail.
Diehl is facing charges of dealing meth over 10 grams, possession of meth and a warrant in Henry County for contempt of court and a warrant on a probation violation in Hamilton County.
Hayes is facing charges of possession of meth with a firearm and possession of a handgun without a permit.
