BURLINGTON, Iowa – A Burlington man is facing a slew of felony drug charges following a months-long investigation and a police raid on Thursday.
James G. Griffin, 56, was arrested after the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force executed a search warrant at his residence on the 200 block of South 9th Street. Authorities say the raid was part of an extended investigation into an active drug trafficking network operating within Burlington.
Griffin now faces the following charges:
Two counts of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine (Class B felonies)
Possession with intent to deliver crack cocaine (Class C felony)
Two counts of failure to affix drug tax stamp (Class D felonies)
Two counts of possession of marijuana
Possession of crack cocaine (Serious misdemeanors)
Possession of drug paraphernalia (Simple misdemeanor)
During the raid, officers discovered a large sum of cash, a marijuana cigarette, a baggie of crack cocaine, and three knotted baggies containing approximately 86.7 grams of methamphetamine.
Griffin also had outstanding warrants related to a traffic stop on April 23, during which deputies found additional drugs and cash. In that stop, authorities seized:
10.85 grams of methamphetamine (in seven baggies)
5.11 grams of crack cocaine (in four baggies)
4.18 grams of marijuana
$1,226 in cash
A warrant was issued for Griffin’s arrest tied to the April incident, and he was officially taken into custody during the Thursday raid. He is currently being held at the Des Moines County Jail on an $81,000 bond—$80,000 of which is cash-only.
A preliminary hearing is set for 2 p.m. on July 1 at the Des Moines County Courthouse.
The Burlington Police Department, Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, and Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement assisted with the investigation and arrest.
In a statement, the Burlington Police Department emphasized the regional commitment to cracking down on drug trafficking:
“This operation is part of a broader effort to dismantle drug trafficking operations within the region and ensure the safety and well-being of the community.”
Authorities say they will continue targeting and dismantling networks that pose a threat to public health and safety.
