Police target traffickers in drug raids
Published Feb. 13, 2007
The Columbia Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol tactical teams confiscated 220 pounds of high-grade marijuana at two Columbia addresses. The addresses are believed to have been used together to traffic marijuana, according to a Columbia police news release.
Police raided both addresses simultaneously on Feb. 7 at approximately 10:40 p.m. Police confiscated the marijuana and $10,000 in cash. Police said the drugs have an estimated street value of $600,000.
The department published a subsequent news release to request public assistance in locating Eric McCauley, a suspect in the case. Police obtained a federal warrant for McCauley's arrest on suspicion of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, according to the release.
Columbia police Capt. Brad Nelson said the arrest would be a significant blow to marijuana use in the city.
"We do consider McCauley to be one of the major suppliers," he said. "We do think it will have some effect, but we're not sure how long it will last."
A federal charge of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute carries a sentence of imprisonment of 10 years to life and up to a $4 million fine.
McCauley, 25, is described as a 6-foot, 200-pound white male. Police released a photo of McCauley on Feb. 9 with the second news release.
The operation was the result of a collaborative investigation between several agencies, including the St. Louis County Multi-jurisdictional Drug Task Force, the Mid-Missouri Unified Strike Team and the Narcotics Group and the Drug Enforcement Agency.
In a separate operation in connection with the first two, Columbia police raided an apartment at 1614 Amelia St. on Sunday.
One of the apartment's residents, Robert Johnson Jr., 24, was home at the time of the raid, Columbia police Sgt. Scott Young said. He was arrested in the raid and charged with misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The other resident, Jasen Carter, 24, was arrested shortly after at an Extended Stay America hotel at 2000 Business Loop 70. He was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The officers confiscated approximately three-quarters of a pound of marijuana and scales.
Nelson said he is unable to release many details regarding the operation and that the investigation is still ongoing.
"We're looking at anyone who was involved in that organization," he said. "It's not finished."