Three arrested in drug bust

BENTON -- Three Scott County men face drug-related charges after their arrest by local law enforcement officers.

Thomas E. Masterson Jr., 30, of Sikeston is charged with attempting to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance. Bond is set at $35,000.

Richard U. Ditto Jr., 32, of Oran is charged with possession of a controlled substance. His bond is set at $20,000.

Chad E. Wilson, 29, of Sikeston, charged with possession of a controlled substance, has a bond set at $25,000.

Scott County Sheriff Bill Ferrell said information received by a Sikeston Public Safety narcotic detective resulted in the issuance of a search warrant for a residence north of Sikeston. Officers with the Scott County Sheriff's Office, Sikeston Department of Public Safety and the SEMO Drug Task Force went to the residence Monday night to serve the search warrant. Ferrell said officers located what appeared to be marijuana in a quantity larger than a typical seizure.

During the search other items of controlled substance, drug paraphernalia, currency and firearms were seized.