Two meth pipes and one sword seized in Beatrice bust, authorities say

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Two people were arrested Tuesday after a drug bust in Beatrice.

Deputies and police officers were searching a home as part of a methamphetamine investigation, according to the Gage County Sheriff’s Office.

Inside, they found a man and a woman — James Eloge and Catherine Hempfling — with meth pipes, the sheriff’s office said.

Residue from both pipes tested positive for meth, according to authorities.

Deputies said they also found 15 clonazepam pills, eight oxycodone pills and a small amount of marijuana.

The search also turned up 500 to 1,000 unused small baggies, which are “commonly used for the packaging of controlled substances,” the sheriff’s office said in a press release.

Authorities said Eloge had $12,000 hidden in his car and a 3-foot sword in his bedroom.

The sheriff’s office said it was illegal for Eloge to own the sword because he is a convicted felon.

Eloge was arrested on suspicion of three counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug money and possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person.

Hempfling was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.