170 pounds of Meth located, I-44 traffic stop

GREENE COUNTY, Mo. — Troop D of the Missouri State Highway Patrol release details regarding a large drug haul.

They release a few images of ‘K9 James’ who serves the Troop along with 170 pounds of Meth he recently assisted in locating.

Missouri State Highway Patrol ‘K9 James’ and 170 pounds of meth, November 2022.

Troop D says, “out of state driver stopped for a traffic violation on I-44 in Greene Co. Some packages just simply won’t be delivered this holiday season!”

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82 pounds of meth seized in southeast Kansas

NEODESHA, Kan. – Authorities arrest two men after finding more than 82 pounds of meth in their vehicle.

Shortly before midnight on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, authorities pulled a vehicle over for speeding. Police and the 2006 Chevy Silverado stopped at 400 Main Street in Neodesha, Kansas.

According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Neodesha police established probable cause to search the vehicle. They found an excess of 82 pounds of methamphetamine. The KBI says the meth has an estimated street value of $3.7 million.

Police arrested the 19-year-old driver from Dallas, Texas for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to sell, possession of drug sale paraphernalia, and driving without a valid license.

They also arrested the passenger of the truck, a 19-year-old from Garland, Texas. They are requesting charges against him of possession of methamphetamine with the intent to sell, and possession of drug sale paraphernalia.

Authorities booked the two into the Wilson County, Kansas Jail.

The Wilson County Prosecutor’s Office has not yet filed official charges. Police are still investigating.

The Neodesha Police Department, Wilson County Sheriff’s Office and Kansas Bureau of Investigation are all involved in the case.

(KOAM’s policy is to not release names of suspects until official charges are filed. Some cases are unique and are treated as such.)

Nevada woman charged for trafficking drugs through mail

NEVADA, Mo. – Police seize a mailed package containing meth and arrest a Nevada, Missouri woman.

The Nevada Police Department has been working with the United States Postal Service Investigations and the Department of Homeland Security in a months-long investigation. They suspected someone in the community was trafficking drugs through the mail.

Officers got a search warrant based on information that a delivery of drugs was being made to a home in the 600 block of N. Elm Street on July 8, 2021.

That afternoon, law enforcement executed the search warrant. The Nevada Police Department, Vernon and Bates County Sheriff’s Offices were all involved.

During the search, a Bates County K-9 made a positive alert on the package in question.

Nevada Police seized the contents of the package. There was about 115 grams of suspected methamphetamine. According to the NPD, it has an estimated street value of about $2,000. Officers will send the evidence to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Lab for testing.

They arrested Dawn M. Hopper, 43 of Nevada. The Vernon County Prosecutor’s Office filed a charge of Trafficking Drugs 2nd Degree (Class B Felony) against Hopper. The Vernon County Jail is holding her on a $100,000 cash only bond.

Authorities continue their joint investigation.

They encourage residents to contact police if you have any information that would be helpful to combat crime. To report criminal activities call 911, contact the Nevada Police Department at (417) 448-5100 or use the Nevada Police Department’s Tip Hotline (417) 667-8477. The NPD says any and all information can be kept confidential if requested.

At least 9 arrested in SEK drug bust

CHANUTE, Kan. – A joint police investigation into illegal drug distribution in Southeast Kansas leads to the arrest of nine suspects with three others pending arrest. It was part of the eight-month long investigation titled “Operation Spring Cleaning.”

(Related article: 3 suspects still wanted in southeast Kansas drug operation)

With assistance from the Neosho County Attorney’s Office, the Allen County Attorney’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office, arrest warrants were issued for individuals related to the distribution of methamphetamine. Officers executed the warrants in Neosho, Allen and Montgomery counties resulting in nine arrests. They were all booked in the Neosho and Allen County Jails.

While executing a warrant at 804 N Garfield in Chanute, Kansas, officers found “suspicious explosive devices.”  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATB) and Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) responded to remove the explosives and provide aid in the investigation.

Authorities arrested the following suspects:

  • Shadow McKinney, 28, Chanute, (2 counts) Distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 ft. of a school, and Distribution of methamphetamine
  • Kerry Wilson, 41, Chanute, (6 Counts) Distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 ft. of a school
  • Anna Stockenbrand, 31, Chanute, (2 counts) Distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 ft. of a school
  • Dedra Bright, 36, Cherryville, Distribution of methamphetamine
  • Gina Perez, 37, Chanute, (2 counts) Distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 ft. of a school
  • Michael Naff, 35, Chanute, (2 counts) Distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 ft. of a school
  • Ellen Fisher, 34, Iola, Distribution of methamphetamine
  • Quintin Obermiller, 30, Iola, Distribution of methamphetamine
  • Markus K. Steeves, 47, Chanute, (2 counts) Distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 ft. of school property, Criminal use of an explosive

Three suspects are pending arrest in connection to the operation:

  • Kevin Pratt, 45, Iola, (2 counts) Distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 ft. of a school
  • Jessica Rogers, 39, Iola, Distribution of methamphetamine
  • Timothy J. Mishler, 30, Chanute, (2 counts) Distribution of methamphetamine

Police say the investigation is ongoing.

Joplin man sentenced for meth conspiracy, illegal firearms

JOPLIN, Mo. – A federal judge sentences a Joplin man to 24 years and eight months in federal prison without parole.

Authorities say Mark K. Burdge, 50, was involved in a drug-trafficking conspiracy responsible for distributing least 12 pounds of methamphetamine in the Joplin area. They also say he illegally had numerous firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

The court also ordered Burdge to forfeit to the government $44,850 seized by law enforcement as the proceeds of drug trafficking.

On Nov. 3, 2020, Burdge pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and one count of distributing methamphetamine on premises where children are present or reside.

Burdge admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from May 9, 2018, to July 18, 2019. Burdge imported at least 12 pounds (approximately 5.4 kilograms) of methamphetamine into southwest Missouri from a source in Oklahoma.

2018 Search Warrant

On May 9, 2018, investigators with the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team executed a search warrant at Burdge’s residence. Officers seized a total of 71.96 grams of methamphetamine and approximately $20,550 from a bedroom in the residence. Officers also searched an outbuilding and seized six rifles, five shotguns, four pistols, a revolver, a .22-caliber Magnum derringer, and 4,000 rounds of assorted ammunition.

2019 Search Warrant

On July 18, 2019, investigators again executed a search warrant at Burdge’s residence, where they encountered a 10-year-old child among a number of individuals at the residence. Officers seized a total of 159.66 grams of methamphetamine and $24,300.

Criminal History

According to court documents, Burdge’s more serious criminal history started in 1999 at the age of 29. Authorities arrested him with methamphetamine and marijuana.

Felony convictions since then have included three convictions for possession of a controlled substance, as well as felony convictions for unlawful possession of a firearm and receiving stolen property.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Josephine L. Stockard and Byron Black. The Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol., Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.