Meth bust at Econolodge

WAUPACA — Daniel Charles Radtke, 69-year-old Waupaca man was charged April 14 in Waupaca County Circuit Court with possession of methamphetamine, possession of THC as a second or subsequent offense, possession of drug paraphernalia, and misdemeanor bail jumping.
According to the criminal complaint, the Waupaca Police Department received an anonymous report on April 8, 2026 of a possible domestic physical altercation involving Radtke and a woman at the Econolodge Motel on West Fulton Street.
Officers arriving at the scene reported that Radtke appeared to be under the influence of a stimulant, noting he was “very twitchy,” unable to stand still, and picking at his skin.
During the investigation, an officer reportedly overheard Radtke admitting to recent methamphetamine use. While speaking with the woman in the room, investigators observed marijuana and various drug items in plain view on a table near a window.
The complaint states that when asked about the location of his methamphetamine, Radtke claimed it was all gone but admitted to having some weed. He further told officers he typically snorts or smokes the drug. Although a search of the motel room beds and pouches did not immediately locate a methamphetamine pipe, officers did find a second marijuana pipe on a nightstand.
While Radtke was being searched at the Waupaca County Jail, an officer located a methamphetamine pipe on his person. During testing, a small chunk of substance fell out of the pipe and tested positive for methamphetamine. Authorities estimated a small usable amount of the drug remained adhered to the inside of the pipe’s bulb.