Drug activity discovered, resulting in charges against four

Four people were arrested last week in a Cape Girardeau County drug bust.

Authorities received a tip that a wanted person was at a large work shed near Copperhead Lane and Route U near Burfordville, sheriff's department detective Travis Sikes said.

When sheriff's department officers arrived at the location around 1 p.m. Thursday, they not only found the wanted person, but also evidence of illegal drugs, Sikes said.

"It basically snowballed," he said of the discovery and subsequent arrests.

Officers obtained a search warrant and found methamphetamine and ingredients for making the drug.

Michael W. Locke, 37, of Burfordville was charged with felony attempt to manufacture a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to use. Bond was set at $25,000.

Billy W. Bierschwal, 37, of Cape Girardeau was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, felony possession of anhydrous ammonia, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond was set at $35,000.

Michelle N. Thiele, 27, of Cape Girardeau was charged with two counts of felony possession of a controlled substance. Bond was set at $15,000.

Todd M. Beasley, 33, of Burfordville was charged with felony attempt to manufacture a controlled substance, two counts of possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Beasley's bond was set at $50,000.