News Release

For further information please contact: Sgt. Jason Clark
(573) 522-0980
DDCC09262008
September 26, 2008

EMPHASIS: Drug Investigation


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

As a result of a short-term narcotics investigation by members of the Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group, a search warrant was applied for on a camper trailer and shed on Helmig Road near Mt. Sterling, MO. The search warrant was served during the early morning hours of September 26, 2008. During a search of the property a fully functional clandestine methamphetamine laboratory, methamphetamine, a marijuana grow operation, processed marijuana, and items of drug paraphernalia were seized. Arrested at the scene was Dustin Hayes, 24, of Mt. Sterling, and Lacey Higginbotham, 20, of Linn, MO. The Gasconade County prosecutor will seek formal, drug-related charges. The Gasconade County Sheriff’s Department assisted in this investigation.

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