Arrests made in Bernie drug bust

BERNIE - An ongoing narcotics investigation in Stoddard County has resulted in the arrest of several area residents.

According to the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department, members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, SEMO Drug Task Force, Stoddard County Sheriff's Office and the Bernie Police Department executed a search warrant Friday at 602 W. Fordyce St., where it was believed marijuana and drug paraphernalia were being stored and distributed.

Living at the residence were Dana Kim Stewart, 41, and David Frank Ziehm, 45.

Upon arrival at the residence, officers were met at the front door by Travis Lee McCord, 20, who was reportedly smoking marijuana from a pipe.

Officers entered the residence and secured all of the occupants who in addition to Stewart, Ziehm and McCord, included: Autumn Rebecca Holbrook, 19; Carol Jean Light, 33; and Christopher Michael Dean, 25.

Stewart, Ziehm and Light were found hiding in the bathroom, McCord and Holbrook were in the living room and Dean was located hiding in the closet.

A search of the residence was conducted by Stoddard County Deputy K. Hayes and his drug dog, Boris. The dog and officers located marijuana, drug paraphernalia, scales, methamphetamine and items used to smoke methamphetamine.

All six individuals were arrested and transported to the Stoddard County Jail where they are being held, pending issuance of warrants.