SIKESTON MAN BUSTED ON CHARGE OF CRACK

BENTON -- A Sikeston man was arrested for possession of about $45,000 worth of crack cocaine, the Scott County Sheriff's Department said.

Demetries D. Baker, 22, was charged with second degree drug trafficking, said Cpl. Jerry Bledsoe. His bond was set at $250,000.

This was the second large crack cocaine arrest in Sikeston for the sheriff's department in less than a week. On Saturday, deputies had arrested Lee A. Backus, 39. Twenty-five individually wrapped rocks of crack cocaine had been found in his residence.

On Wednesday, deputies had searched Baker's residence and found more than an ounce of wht is believed to be crack cocaine. It was sent to the Southeast Missouri Crime Lab for testing.

Other arrests in connection with the investigation are possible, Bledsoe said.