Two individuals arrested by Bootheel Task Force

Two individuals, one who admitted to selling methamphetamine in Steele, Mo., for the past four years, were recently arrested for manufacturing of a controlled substance after an investigation by Steele police officers and agents of the Bootheel Drug Task Force.

According to a report by the Steele Police Department, the arrest occurred after task force Agent Michael George received information from a confidential source that indicated that the suspects had purchased several pre-cursors used to manufacture the substance from Blytheville, Ark.

After receiving this information, officers began to conduct surveillance for the suspects and their vehicle.

During the course of surveillance, George observed a strong chemical smell "emanating from the residence," according to the report.

Once this observation was made, George, Sgt. Randy Trimm, and Steele Chief of Police Billy Joe Stanfield made contact with the suspect and conducted a search, which took place Saturday night.

According to the report, the search of the residence, officers located all of the ingredients used to manufacture methamphetamine, and several grams of the finished product packaged for sale.

Following the search, Donnie Ray Jackson of Steele, and Jeremy Summers, of Blytheville, were arrested for manufacturing of a controlled substance and were then transported to the Steele Police Department for questioning.

The police report said one of the individuals noted he had been selling methamphetamine in Steele for approximately four years. The individual added that he had been "cooking" it every two days for about three months outside of Steele on Pemiscot County rural roads.

The same suspect also explained that he would then bring the substance home to use or sell, according to the report.

Both Jackson and Summers gave audio/video recorded statements, which indicated their involvement in the manufacturing of methamphetamine. Both were then transported to the Pemiscot County Justice Center, pending the filing of formal charges by the Pemiscot County Prosecutor, the report noted.

Sunday, Jackson posted a $25,000 bond. Summers will be held in lieu of bond in the amount of $50,000, according to the report.