Courtesy Photo A Huron Undercover Narcotics Team detective holds 10 grams of methamphetamine. The drug was involved in at least 11 recent HUNT arrests, including one seizure of nearly 100 grams of the narcotic.

ALPENA — Methamphetamines have become a strong presence in Northeast Michigan, law enforcement leaders said at a board meeting for the Huron Undercover Narcotics Team on Friday.

A spate of HUNT arrests at the beginning of the year point to the increase in trafficking of the drug into the area, 1st Lt. John Grimshaw told the board.

Grimshaw, commander of the Michigan State Police-Alpena Post and chairman of the HUNT board of directors, said five or six years ago methamphetamines didn’t have much of a presence in Alpena.

Now, it’s the primary narcotic being brought into our region for sale locally, Grimshaw said.

HUNT detectives have been involved in at least 11 meth-related arrests since the beginning of the month, according to an activity report shared by HUNT Commander D/Lt. Stuart Sharp.

In one two-day span, on Jan. 5 and 6, seven people were jailed in Alpena for charges including possession and delivery of fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine.

On Jan. 16, HUNT detectives intercepted nearly 100 grams of methamphetamine — with a street value of about $10,000-$15,000 — in the possession of Justin Shipp, 33, Lacey Roskey, 27, and Donald Grooms, 39, all of whom were arrested on charges of manufacturing or delivering meth.

HUNT also arrested Mitchell Brisbois, 32, on Jan. 14 on an outstanding warrant, also for meth manufacturing or delivery.

“Nice work by Stu and the crew to work with sheriff’s offices in knocking that down and putting some people away,” said Detective 1st Lt. Kip Belcher of the Michigan State Police-7th District. “At least putting them out of business for a bit.”

In other business, the board discussed merging committees and heard a financial report. In the first quarter of the 2021 fiscal year, the team took in $13,871 and spent $19,279. In that time, HUNT initiated 14 cases, arrested 11 people, and seized $3,823 worth of drugs — most of that in methamphetamines — according to a report.