Aug. 31 sweep nets drugs, vehicles, cash

SIKESTON, Mo. -- It wasn't just suspected criminals that Operation Clean Sweep brought in. In addition to the more than 40 people taken into custody by officers with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety and other participating agencies during the Aug. 31 roundup, officials report seizure of four vehicles and more than $6,000 in cash, the Standard Democrat reported. According to Lt. Jim McMillen, public information officer with the department, these were seized from suspected drug dealers or other conspirators. Also seized were undisclosed amounts of powder and crack cocaine, he said. The vehicles are now up for forfeiture with two at the state and two at the federal level. Operation Clean Sweep was the result of an 18-month joint investigation of people believed to be trafficking narcotics in Southeast Missouri. McMillen said police are still searching for other conspirators. Their names are not being released at this time.

Taking part in the investigation and subsequent arrests were investigators from Missouri State Highway Patrol, SEMO Drug Task Force, Bootheel Drug Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, the US Attorney's Office, Cape Girardeau Police Department and Sikeston DPS.