CHARLESTON - A two-and-a-half-year drug investigation ended Wednesday with the arrest of several area residents.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bootheel Drug Task Force, Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force, Cairo Federal Housing Authority Task Force, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Scott County Sheriff's Department, Mississippi County Sheriff's Department and the Charleston Department of Public Safety.
Arrested was 23-year-old Toby Turner of 402 Kendall St. in Sikeston who was taken into custody in Charleston for conspiracy to distribute in excess of 50 grams of cocaine base and distribution of over 50 grams of cocaine base and Randall Collins, 26, of 204 Branum who turned himself into the Scott County Sheriff's Department on a charge of conspiracy to distribute in excess of 50 grams of cocaine base.
Charleston resident Lorenzo Muntez Coleman, 21, of 613 Cleveland St. was arrested in Charleston for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. He was transported to the Cape County Jail, pending arraignment by the U.S. District Court.
David Mathis, 38, of 608 S. Locust St. in Charleston was arrested at his residence for conspiracy to distribute in excess of 50 grams of cocaine base, conspiracy to launder money, two counts of money laundering and two counts of illegal monetary transaction in property derived from specified unlawful activity.
Also of Charleston, David L. Trainer, 23, of 901 S. Ninth St. was arrested in Chicago, Ill., on three counts of conspiracy to distribute in excess of 50 grams of cocaine base and one count of distribution of over 50 grams of cocaine base.
Rubin L. Evans, 34, address unavailable, was arrested in Chicago, Ill., for the distribution of 50 grams or more of cocaine base.
Additional arrests are forth coming.
Approximately $20,000 in federal buy money and $5,000 in state buy money was expended in during the investigation. Approximately 3/4 of a kilo of crack cocaine was purchased with a street value of $75,000.
The investigation is a result of the Weed and Seed initiative. All charges were filed with the U.S. District Court.