Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement investigating Stockport couple

By RUSTY EBERT, Courier correspondent

STOCKPORT — A Stockport couple is under investigation after authorities discovered drug paraphernalia and weapons at their residence.

The Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, along with other law enforcement agencies, executed a search warrant last week at the Stockport residence of Greg Steward, 54, and Terri Pasch, 45.

The warrant authorized authorities to search the couple’s house, two large outbuildings, two grain bins and other structures on the property. Also included in the search was a blue 1995 Chevrolet pickup and any other vehicles on the property.

Authorities found various guns, ammunition, a container with a one-hitter and a small zip-close bag of marijuana, dragon bomb and film canisters with marijuana seeds.

On Oct. 8, an agent with the Iowa Department of Public Safety, Division of Narcotics Enforcement, observed Steward at the Ottumwa Walmart purchasing a number of items that were indicative of the manufacture of meth.

Officials said Steward purchased the following items: a large glass jar with lid, a plastic pitcher with lid, a can of starting fluid, a can of Coleman fuel, a pack of disposable gloves and a package of Loctite. The agent followed Steward from Walmart to Walgreens and determined that Steward purchased a 48-count box of Wal-phed.

An employee indicated that Steward routinely came into the store to purchase pseudoephedrine. The agent made a traffic stop of Steward and received a verbal consent to search Steward’s pickup.

Steward said he understood that these items were indicative of the manufacture of meth but denied any involvement. He said the jar was for cookies, the pitcher was for tea and lemonade, the starting fluid was going to be put in his shop and used on his chainsaw, the Coleman fuel for for a lantern and the gloves were going to be used when he changed the oil in his vehicle or when he used greasy things in his shop. The Loctite, he added, was going to be used to fix “stuff.” He said he uses pseudoephedrine everyday or every other day for his allergies. The items were seized.

The agent later checked with Walgreens to determine how much pseudoephedrine Steward and Pasch had purchased. In the last year, Steward purchased 24 boxes of the 48 count for a total of 1,152 pills. Pasch purchased 23 boxes of 48 count for a total of 1,104 pills.

Pasch purchased a 48-count box of pseudoephedrine at Walgreens in Ottumwa approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes prior to Steward.

The agent discovered that all of Steward’s pseudoephedrine purchases were made at Walgreens in Ottumwa, but Pasch also made purchases at Walgreens in Burlington and Coralville. Pasch has previous convictions of possession of cocaine, three counts of delivery of a schedule II controlled substance and theft in the fifth degree.

Pasch was charged with possession of a firearm as a felon.