Around Southeast Missouri 12/22/06

Wanted for trafficking, Kennett man at large

A Kennett, Mo., man who was arrested Dec. 14 on a trespassing warrant was released from jail the morning of Dec. 15 before being formally charged with drug trafficking later that day, and is now at large, police said. Timothy M. Drake, 28, was freed before his bond was set and prior to a drug charge being filed by the state's prosecuting attorney's office, police said. He has been charged with second-degree drug trafficking. Drake is considered a danger to residents, police said. Residents are asked to aid officers in their search for Drake by calling the Kennett Police Department at (573) 888-4622. All information remains confidential, police said.

-- The Daily Dunklin Democrat, Kennett

MSHP busts rolling meth lab near Bloomfield

A Poplar Bluff, Mo., pair learned not to ask a Missouri State Highway patrolman for help moving a stranded vehicle off a road when there is a methamphetamine lab in the trunk. According to Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner, at about 10 p.m. Sunday, a trooper on duty came upon a stranded vehicle in the road on Highway 25, three or four miles north of Bloomfield, and offered to help the motorists. As the trooper pushed on the trunk, he noticed a distinct smell coming from the area. The trooper immediately radioed for assistance from the sheriff's department and the SEMO Drug Task Force. Hefner said the investigation turned up a mobile meth lab in the trunk. Taken into police custody at that time were 39-year-old Preston Hicks and 39-year-old Michelle Gill, both of Poplar Bluff. They were booked at the Stoddard County Jail and are being held on $75,000 cash-only bond awaiting arraignment. They are charged with felony attempt to manufacture methamphetamine, felony possession of a precursor to manufacture methamphetamine, felony possession of drug paraphernalia and felony possession of a controlled substance.

-- The Daily Statesman, Dexter