MULTIPLE METH LABS FOUND DURING TRAFFIC STOP IN BUTLER COUNTY

A Butler County Sherriff’s Deputy found multiple meth labs Tuesday during a stop.

KWOC News spoke with Deputy Brandon Lowe about the traffic stop.

BRANDON LOWE:

On Tuesday morning, at around 7:20 am, I stopped a vehicle for no brake light on the driver side on Highway 67 South northbound lane just north of Cane Creek Flats. I made contact with the driver, Michael Hunter age 47, tried to obtain his ID, he advised me that he did not have a driver's license. I tried to get the passengers ID, identified as Jason Miller also age 47. I had dispatch run a check on both subjects. I was advised that Hunter’s driving privilege was revoked and that Miller's had expired. I took Hunter into custody, escorted him back to my patrol unit. I then went up and asked Miller to exit the vehicle. As Miller was exiting the vehicle, a meth pipe fell off of his lap, he attempted to stomp on it and tried to kick it off into the median at which time I placed him in custody and requested additional units. I asked for consent to search the vehicle, the vehicle was registered to Miller however Hunter was the driver. Both subjects gave consent to search. Inside the vehicle was a Black Backpack between the driver seat and the passenger seat that was partially unzipped, and I could see inside the backpack there were two meth labs, commonly called Shake and Bakes or one pots. I removed the backpack from the van and as I set it on the ground I observed several other items inside the backpack related to narcotics. I could see a syringe. I could see coffee filters, ziplock baggies. There was a black case that was enclosed that I removed from the backpack and once I opened it up there was coffee filters that had residue, there was a black vial. Inside the black vial I found a small baggie of crystal methamphetamine and a small baggie of powdered methamphetamine. Hunter and Miller were both transported to the Sheriff's Department where they were booked and lodged. They are both being charged with distribution/manufacturing of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance, possession of methamphetamine precursors with intent to distribute, and Hunter, the driver, is also being charged with driving while revoked and the equipment violation for the brake light.

ED DEGARIS ELECTED AS MAYOR OF POPLAR BLUFF

Ed DeGaris will maintain his position as Mayor of Poplar Bluff.

DeGaris was elected by a unanimous vote of the Council at a meeting Monday night.

Councilwoman Susan McVey was also unanimously elected as Mayor Pro Tem during the meeting.

Before the election, Ron Black, Steve Davis, and Robert L. Smith were all sworn in to their seats on the council.

PIPE REPLACEMENT TO CAUSE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF BUTLER COUNTY ROAD

Route CC in Butler County will be temporarily closed today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform a pipe replacement.

The section of roadway to be closed is located between Route FF and County Road 677.

Work is scheduled to be performed from 8 am to 4:30 pm.

THREE ARRESTED IN WAYNE COUNTY ON METH RELATED CHARGES

Three people were taken into custody late Tuesday night in Wayne County on meth related charges.

Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that the arrests all occurred at around 10 pm Tuesday.

37 year old Leslie Long, of Clubb, was arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute - methamphetamine.

Officers also arrested 33 year old Jessica Morrill, of Fisk, and 29 year old Brandon Tumbas, of Poplar Bluff, on felony charges of possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine.

MAN ARRESTED IN KENNETT ON DRUG AND LARCENY WARRANTS

A man was taken into custody Tuesday in Kennett on multiple warrants.

According to the Kennett Police Department, officers arrested 29 year old Cody Conder Tuesday morning on warrants for dangerous drugs and larceny.

Officials say the bond for the dangerous drugs warrant is $25,000, while the bond for the larceny warrant is $5,000.

Following the arrest, Conder was held at the Dunklin County Justice Center.

NEW MADRID POLICE SAY THEY HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL REPORTS OF A CHECK SCAM

The New Madrid Police Department says that have received several reports about a scam where a fraudulent check is received in the mail.

According to the Police Department, the letter with the check says that it is for the recipient's work as a "store evaluator". A large check is enclosed and the recipient is encouraged to cash the check, and then use some of the money to buy prepaid Visa cards.

The letter then asks the recipient to fill out the attached survey with the card numbers for the cards they have purchased and mail the survey back in.

The person who cashes the check will ultimately owe money to the bank as well as lose out on the money for the prepaid cards.

Anyone who receives one of these letters is advised to not cash the check. Police officials say this is believed to be an overseas scam and is currently under investigation by several agencies.

NEW DAY MINISTRIES TO HOST FEED AND SEED EVENT THIS WEEK

New Day Ministries in Poplar Bluff will be hosting a feed and seed event tomorrow from 3 to 5 pm.

The event is first come, first serve, and packs will be limited to one per family. New Day Ministries is located at 703 Franklin Street in Poplar Bluff.

If you would like more information, contact Pastors Vernon and Nancy Wolverton at 573-718-4578.