News Release

For further information please contact: Sgt. Jason Clark
(573) 522-0980
DDCC01132009
January 13, 2009

EMPHASIS: Narcotics Investigation


Captain Luke Vislay, director of the Division of Drug and Crime Control, announces the results of a short-term narcotics investigation in Laclede County.

On January 8, 2009, as a result of a joint undercover narcotics investigation by members of the Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group, a search warrant was served on a residence in Lebanon, Missouri. During that search, task force officers seized approximately 24 pounds of processed marijuana, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, illegal drug sales equipment, and $24,520 in U.S. currency.

Justin Rhoads, 20, and Cynthia Kuhn, 48, both of Lebanon, Missouri, were arrested for various drug-related charges and transported to the Laclede County Jail. Rhoads and Kuhn were charged with distribution of a controlled substance and are being held on $50,000 bond.

The Lebanon Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol assisted in the service of the search warrant.

The Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group is a multi-jurisdictional drug task force. Its members include the sheriff’s departments of Pulaski, Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Gasconade, and Crawford 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.
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