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

Troop E Headquarters - 4947 Highway 67 North - Poplar Bluff, MO 63901


News Release

For further information please contact: Trooper Clark D. Parrott
(573) 840-9500, ext. 3532
0304139
March 4, 2013

EMPHASIS: Traffic Stop On Interstate 55 Results In Drug Arrest


On March 3, 2013, at approximately 10:15 p.m., a member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol stopped a 2004 Volvo conventional truck and trailer for a traffic violation.

The driver was identified as Esad Bekric, 40, of Clarkton, Georgia. During the course of the traffic stop, several indicators of criminal activity were observed causing the trooper to become suspicious. Consent to search the vehicle was requested and granted. Patrol K-9 Edy was used to perform an exterior sniff of the vehicle. K-9 Edy alerted on the front of the trailer. A closer examination of the trailer revealed a false compartment, which contained 43 bundles of processed marijuana. The total weight of the marijuana was 200 pounds. Bekric was arrested for felony drug trafficking and taken to the Pemiscot County Jail.

The charge for which Bekric was arrested is mere accusation and not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charge must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.




(###)