OFFICERS ARREST 35 FOR CRACK COCAINE CHARGES

On Monday morning, more than 60 local, state and federal law enforcement
officers served arrest warrants on 45 Charleston area residents charged
with trafficking crack cocaine.

By 9 a.m., authorities apprehended 35 defendants, who are now awaiting
appearances in either state or federal court. The round-up culminates an
18-month investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Drug
Enforcement Administration and the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force.
Assisting agencies included the FBI; the U.S. Marshals Service; the Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Charleston police; and the
Mississippi County Sheriff's Department.

Sixteen of those arrested face federal charges. Nineteen face state
charges. Three others facing federal charges and seven facing state charges
were not apprehended.