Police begin crackdown on drugs

Cape Girardeau police say a drug arrest Wednesday will be the first of many as the department steps up efforts to rid the city of drug traffic.

David L. Hightower, 23, of 807 S. Ellis St. was arrested Wednesday on drug and weapons charges.

Prosecutors charged Hightower with three felonies: possession of crack cocaine, receiving stolen property and unlawful use of a firearm.

Hightower faces up to seven years in prison for the most serious charge. He is being held in the Cape Girardeau County Jail on a $30,000 bond.

"We are making a concerted effort to step up drug enforcement in the community," police chief Carl Kinnison said. "We're working hard to make Cape Girardeau a place where no one wants to buy or sell drugs."

Kinnison said he assigned an additional officer to narcotics for the next several months to handle the increased casework.

The police department also plans to purchase additional equipment to aid in the pursuit of drug offenders. Kinnison did not elaborate on the kind of equipment or the means for purchasing it.

"We've met and talked with both the DEA and the SEMO Drug Task Force, and we agreed that we need aggressive enforcing of drug laws in the area," Kinnison said. "You can expect additional arrests in the near future."

Cpl. Jason Selzer said undercover officers completed several drug purchases from Hightower.

Hightower had a stolen 9 mm handgun in his possession when he was arrested, according to Selzer.

According to court records, Hightower was convicted of felony assault on a law enforcement officer in September 2001.

Hightower was charged with selling drugs in New Madrid County in January and was out on a $25,000 bond for that charge at the time of his arrest.

New Madrid County prosecutors filed a motion Thursday to revoke the bond, according to local court records.

pwylie@semissourian.com

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