Police drug crackdown in Cape leads to arrest

A Cape Girardeau man arrested Wednesday for five counts of drug-related charges allegedly committed the first offense, distribution of marijuana, within 2,000 feet of St. Mary Cathedral School, police said.

He was dealing to an undercover informant for the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force, an error he made four more times, according to authorities.

Cape Girardeau police arrested Benjamin E. Bird Jr., 33, of 421 Sheridan St., Apt. B, at his workplace after securing a search warrant for his residence and finding several thousand dollars' worth of a cocaine-based substance, said Sgt. Barry Hovis.

Bird is charged with distribution of a controlled substance near a school, three counts of drug trafficking for 6 grams or more of cocaine base and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

Four of the charges against Bird are class A felonies, meaning if convicted he faces a sentence of from 10 years to life for each one, plus five to 15 years for the class B charge.

Bird has prior convictions for possession of marijuana and felony nonsupport.

Bond is set at $100,000.

A joint effort between the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force and the police department led to the series of undercover buys by the task force informant, according to the arrest warrant.

When informants are involved, sometimes the investigation will be prolonged and charges cannot be filed right away, to protect the identity of the undercover officer and compile further evidence against a suspect, Hovis said.

"It's part of an ongoing goal to stamp out drug trade in Cape Girardeau," Hovis said.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245