Three arrested in Stoddard County on methamphetamine trafficking charges

DEXTER, Mo. -- An investigation by the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department, the SEMO Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration has resulted in the arrest of three people.

According to Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner, the investigation by the three agencies found the individuals were involved in an interstate methamphetamine trafficking operation.

Arrested were Brian C. Nalley, 42, of Advance, Mo., and Edward A. Sanchez, 48, and Tina Esquivel, 46, both of Fort Worth, Texas.

Nalley, who was reportedly receiving the drugs from the Texas couple to distribute in Southeast Missouri, is charged with distribution of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held at the Stoddard County Jail in lieu of a $150,000 cash-only bond.

Since Esquivel and Sanchez were reportedly transporting the drugs across state lines, the pair was turned over to the DEA and face federal charges trafficking charges.

The estimated street value of the drugs seized in the arrest, according to Hefner, was nearly $17,000.