AGENCIES TO GET DRUG MONEY

Three fourths of the money confiscated in one of Missouri's largest drug money seizures -- over $1 million in New Madrid County four years ago -- will be distributed to three law enforcement agencies Wednesday in Cape Girardeau.

Checks totaling $750,000 will be presented to the Missouri Highway Patrol, Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force and Mineral Area Drug Task Force for their efforts in seizing the drug money.

The checks will be presented at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the U.S. attorney's office in the Federal Building, 325 Broadway.

A spokesman in the U.S. attorney's office declined to give the amounts to be presented to the three agencies, saying only that the Missouri Highway Patrol would receive the largest share. Amounts will be announced at the presentation.

The remaining 25 percent of the $1,010,270, retrieved from the fender wells of a 1994 Chevrolet Lumina van along Interstate 55 in New Madrid County April 22, 1994, will go into federal Drug Enforcement Administration coffers to be used in the DEA's fight against drug trafficking.

The seizure, made by officers for the SEMO and Mineral Area drug task forces, the highway patrol and the DEA, represents the largest cash seizure in the history of the U.S. District Court's Southeastern Division, Eastern District of Missouri.

The DEA had received a tip that the van would be in the area, and authorities followed the van from Illinois into Missouri, where it was stopped in New Madrid County. The money was found in several packages wrapped in duct tape. The money ranged in denominations from $10 to $100 bills.

The van was operated by Kenneth C. Sonmmerville, said officials.

The U.S. attorney's Office initiated forfeiture actions with regard to the seized money, alleging that it represented proceeds of drug trafficking efforts. Following an investigation, it was found that the money was from distribution of marijuana, and Sommerville had been paid to make the trip from Texas. The money was ultimately forfeited to the U.S. government.

When authorities stopped the van, it contained two people: Sommerville and his wife and two dogs.

"It was a mom-and-pop weekend operation," said one official, who requested anonymity.

Sommerville and his wife were indicted on drug trafficking and tax charges.

A year later authorities found $1 million worth of crack cocaine hidden in two concealed compartments of a car along Interstate 55 in New Madrid County.

Among those expected to be in attendance Wednesday are U.S. Attorney Edward L. Dowd Jr.; Floyd Kimbrough, U.S. marshal for the Eastern District of Missouri; Col. Weldon L. Wilhoit of the Missouri Highway Patrol; and Gary Kempker, director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety.