Baraga County drug bust suspects appear in court

BARAGA – Three of the 17 people arrested in December after a large drug bust appeared in 97th District Court Tuesday in Baraga for preliminary hearings.

32–year–old Corey Haataja of L’Anse, 43–year–old Angela Salbashian of L’Anse and 52–year–old Mark Lahti, 52, of Baraga were bound over to Circuit Court. They will be arraigned on February 3rd.

Haataja and Salbashian are charged with delivery or manufacture of morphine, while Lahti faces two charges allegedly involving conspiracy, delivery and the manufacture of hydrocodone. Each count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years and a $25,000 fine.

A February 3rd preliminary hearing is scheduled for 55–year–old Brenda Maki of Nisula, 41–year–old Thomas Bianco of Baraga and 73 year old Warren Selden of Pelkie. Maki and Bianco are each charged with delivery or manufacture of suboxone, while Selden is charged with delivery or manufacture of hydromorphone.

Eleven other people were arrested in December after a year–long joint investigation between the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team, the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Five of those suspects face federal charges, and the remaining six are charged in Tribal Court.