Over 300 fentanyl capsules recovered in drug bust
Wed, 12/18/2024 - 1:11pm
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By:
Nate Hudson, staff writer
Three West Plains residents were arrested and have been charged for trafficking fentanyl into the area. The Howell County Sheriff's Office, the South Central Drug Task Force (SCDTF), and the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) worked together to arrest Bradley Hale, Monica Kesling, and Samuel Meador as they returned to the area, allegedly with controlled substances.
On December 10, 2024, Derek Hughston, of the SCDTF and the Sheriff's Office, received information from another Task Force officer that a vehicle with known connections to illegal narcotics distribution was traveling southbound on US Highway 63 from Houston, Missouri, according to court documents. The officer identified the vehicle as belonging to Hale, age 49, and Kesling, age 53. It was learned by law enforcement that the vehicle was returning from the St. Louis area, the alleged source of their supply.
The three law enforcement agencies worked together to stop the vehicle just off of US 63, on County Road 5320 after it failed to use a turn signal. Inside the vehicle were Hale, Kesling, and Meador, age 38. The three suspects exited the vehicle after being asked to do so by law enforcement and each allegedly had different stories about what they were doing and what was taking place. K-9 Deputy Robert Malone with his Belgian Malinois, Spice, performed a free air sniff of the vehicle, who alerted on it.
A probable cause search of the vehicle uncovered twenty-one suspected fentanyl capsules and several hypodermic syringes containing a liquid. As law enforcement continued to search, they uncovered four bags and a cigarette box containing the capsules and a bag of suspected methamphetamine. A fifth bag was recovered after the suspects were taken to the Howell County Jail, with Meador allegedly informing a deputy that he had a bag containing drugs partially in his rectum. In total, 311 suspected fentanyl capsules and a bag containing 14.4 grams of suspected methamphetamine were recovered.
The three suspects have been charged with trafficking drugs or attempt-first degree-over statutory amount, a Class A felony, and each was given a bond of $100,000 cash or corporate surety. Hale and Kesling were released after posting a surety bond on Dec 11. Meador remains in custody, as the time of printing, and has pleaded not guilty to the charge. A bond hearing for the former two is scheduled for Dec. 23.