Bootheel drug sweep collects 22 suspects

Standard Democrat

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Formal charges are pending against 22 people taken into custody during a countywide roundup of people suspected in the distribution of drugs.

The New Madrid County Sheriff's Department, Portageville Police Department, SEMO Drug Task Force, Bootheel Drug Task Force and the Missouri State Highway Patrol conducted the sweep through New Madrid County, beginning Tuesday.

Authorities said the round-up is the result of a long and intensive investigation by the SEMO Drug Task Force and the Bootheel Drug Task Force.

Arrested were Nassra Aboukassem and James P. Young of Risco, Mo.; Benny Birdwell, Theresa K. Birdwell, Barry D. Brown Jr., James N. Brown, Daniel N. Buchanan, Lajeana C. Ford, Robert A. Jennings, Chris Long, John C. Skinner, Kenneth R. Vires and Jimmie L. Walker, all of Portageville; Charlie E. Cluck of Gideon, Mo.; James K. Gurlin of Malden, Mo.; Tina L. Sutton and Rodney A. Webb of Sikeston, Mo.; Steven Wheeler of Marston, Mo.; and Michael J. Whitley of Lilbourn, Mo.

Charges were filed against three people in the custody of the Missouri Department of Corrections. These were Rickey N. Wigfall, James E. Dean and Claude J. Blacksure, all of Portageville.

More charges are pending against several other people in and around New Madrid County, said Terry Stevens, sheriff.

Meth arrests

In an unrelated event, Stevens reported two people are in custody at the New Madrid County Jail after an investigation discovered the production of methamphetamine. Two Marston residents were arrested early Tuesday for the possession of methamphetamine.

Their names were not released, pending the filing of formal charges.