North Platte Police looking for man tied to drugs, drug money

A weekend bust in North Platte netted methamphetamine, almost $4,000 in drug money, and an illegal firearm and gun. North Platte Police Officer, Beth Kerr, says a verbal fight on Rodeo Road led to two people, one of them was 35-year-old Merrill Johnston.

Probably cause and a tip prompted a search warrant of a local home where Johnston lived. Johnston was allowed to leave. Officers found a loaded .22 caliber pistol, a large hunting knife, 400 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and $3800 in cash believed to be profits from drug transactions.

Police are now looking for Johnston. Police say he is a felon and is wanted for possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person and distribution of a controlled substance.

Johnston is described as a white male, 6 feet tall, 190 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Johnston is possibly driving a silver in color 2005 Ford 500 SE, Nebraska license plate 15EE87.

Anyone with a tip should contact the North Platte Police Department at 911, 308-535-6789, or Lincoln County Crime Stoppers at 308-534-8400 if you have any information of his location.