News Release



For further information please contact:

Sgt. Jason Clark

573-522-0980

DDCC12-08

December 8, 2005



EMPHASIS: Drug Investigation Arrests





Captain Ron Replogle, Director of the Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC), announces as a result of a yearlong joint undercover drug investigation, 26 individuals have been arrested within the past two weeks including 19 that were arrested on December 7, 2005. The Mineral Area Drug Task Force, St. Francois, and Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff’s Offices, the Bonne Terre, Farmington, Leadington, Desloge Police Departments, the St. Francois County Prosecutors Office, members of the Troop-C SERT Team and the DDCC Team 5 Narcotics Investigations Unit, conducted the investigation and made the arrests.



The roundup would not have been possible without the extraordinary cooperation of St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney Wendy Wexler Horn, and St. Francois County Circuit Judge Kenneth Pratt. Both officials and their respective offices orchestrated approximately 40 grand jury indictments in a discrete manner to enable this operation to be conducted without incident.



During the execution of these warrants, two additional clandestine Methamphetamine drug labs were seized. The first lab was discovered in the Bismarck, Missouri area and the other was found in Bonne Terre. Three additional individuals were arrested as a result of the Methamphetamine drug labs seizures.



Some of the charges filed in regards to this investigation include:



1. Possession of precursor/chemicals with intent to manufacture Methamphetamine

2. Passing bad checks

3. Felony possession of Marijuana

4. Manufacturing a controlled substance

5. Possession of stolen property

6. Federal firearms violations



The names of the individuals arrested during this investigation are not being released at this time to insure the integrity of the ongoing investigation.