MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Division of Drug and Crime Control, Post Office Box 568, Jefferson City, MO 65102


News Release

For further information please contact: Cpl. Erik Eidson
(573) 522-0980
080112010
August 11, 2010

EMPHASIS: Drug Investigation


Captain Kyle Marquart, director of the Division of Drug and Crime Control, announces the results of a joint narcotics investigation in Laclede County.

On Monday, August 9, 2010, at approximately 11:50 p.m., officers of the Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group, Lebanon Police Department, Laclede County Sheriff’s Office, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol executed a search warrant at 1327 West Commercial Street, Lebanon, Missouri. As a result of the search warrant, methamphetamine, drug distribution items, eight firearms, an improvised homemade explosive device, and $89,565 in United States currency were seized.

As a result of this investigation, Troy L. Bethel, 58, and Travis L. Bethel, 39, were arrested at the scene. Travis Bethel was formally charged by the Laclede County prosecutor with possession of a controlled substance and possession of an unlawful weapon (explosive device). Troy Bethel was formally charged by the Laclede County prosecutor with eight counts of a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of an unlawful weapon (explosive device). Bond was denied for both individuals and they are currently incarcerated in the Laclede County Jail.

The Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group is a multi-jurisdictional drug task force. Its members include the sheriff’s departments of Camden, Gasconade, Crawford, Pulaski, Laclede, and Maries counties, as well as the Lebanon and Osage Beach police departments. LANEG is governed by a board of directors and is coordinated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The above charges are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of these charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.


(###)