Drug Task Force makes drug bust, adds new agent to Bootheel area group

Steel Chief of Police Billy Joe Stanfield, left, with Bootheel Drug Task Force Supervisor John Higgins, right, after signing the Memorandum of Agreement between the two agencies. Photo provided

On Wednesday, agents with the BDTF, under the direction of Pemiscot County Sheriff Tommy Greenwell, along with the SEMO Drug Task Force administered a search warrant for 812 North Vandeventer in Kennett, according to the BDTF. The Kennett Strategic Response Team along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were called to serve the warrant, and secured the residence without incident allowing the ability to safely search the home.

During the search, agents located an undisclosed amount of crack cocaine with an early estimated street value of $2,000, the BDTF noted. Also recovered was an undisclosed amount of marijuana and pills that had been packaged for sale. The BDTF added that these items will all be sent to the SEMO Crime lab for further testing.

Officers also located several items of gang related information during the search. These items were turned over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The BDTF gave thanks to the Kennett Police Department's Strategic Response Team, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for their support in this search warrant and the ongoing investigation.

In related drug task force news, the Steele Police Department recently assigned an officer to the Bootheel Drug Task Force (BDTF) with the responsibility of investigating the sales and or manufacturing of illegal narcotics in the area.

The BDTF currently consists of investigators from the Pemiscot County Sheriff's Department, Caruthersville Police Department, Kennett Police Department, and Steele Police Department. The BDTF is directed by Pemiscot County Sheriff Tommy Greenwell, and is supervised by BDTF agent John Higgins.

Steele Chief of Police Billy Joe Stanfield noted that when taking the office of Chief of Police it was his priority to combat the illegal use and sale of drugs in the community and to have an investigator assigned to the BDTF. Following the approval of Steele Mayor Mike Davis and the Steele City Council, Stanfield added that 'this goal was accomplished.'

"With having an officer assigned with the task force the resources available are far greater to help combat the use and sales of drugs in the Steele community," Stanfield said. "Not only does the BDTF work closely with State Agencies but it also works closely with Federal agencies such as the DEA, ATF, and FBI."

Stanfield was appointed to the BDTF Board by Greenwell. This board currently consists of Dunklin County Sheriff Bob Holder, Kennett Police Chief Barry Tate, Caruthersville Police Chief Chris Riggs, Dunklin County Prosecutor Stephen Sokoloff, Pemiscot County Prosecutor Mike Hazel, and Kennett Fire Department Chief John Mallott.