Pubdate: Sat, 10 Feb 2001 Source: The Bella Vista Weekly Vista (AR) Copyright: 2001 The Weekly Vista (AR) Contact: 313 Town Center West . Bella Vista, Ark. 72714 Phone: 501-855-3724 Fax: 501-855-6992 Website: http://www.nwarktimes.com/weeklyvista/ Author: Teri Reynolds, Weekly Vista Staff Writer MCDONALD COUNTY, MO Missouri State Highway Patrol officers were productive in making drug arrests within the 18-county Troop D region during the past year. Officers were, in fact, even more productive than figures released by the Springfield-based troop reflect, according to Sgt. Terry Moore. Drug interdiction and investigation activity totals for the year 2000 released by MoHP represent only felony offenses, and do not include dozens of misdemeanor cases handled by field officers, Moore reported recently. Totals also represent only investigations and arrests initiated by the Missouri Highway Patrol, and do not include those activities in which Troop D assisted other law enforcement agencies. During 2000, it was reported, Troop D personnel participated in 59 criminal drug investigations, resulting in the arrest of 79 suspects. Drugs seized included 4,700 pounds of marijuana; 75 pounds of cocaine; 14 pounds of methamphetamine; and 200 hits of ecstasy. Assets seized included five vehicles - a 2000 Jeep, 1995 Dodge pickup, 1996 Dodge pickup, 1994 Nissan van and a 1988 Peterbilt tractor - 18 guns and $1.18 million in cash. The largest drug seizure was 1,500 pounds of marijuana found hidden in a false compartment in the roof of a tractor-trailer unit. The largest cash seizure was $854,000 found in a vehicle stopped for a traffic violation on Interstate Highway 44 in Greene County. Activity by county in the Troop D region last year included: . Greene: 25 investigations resulted in 33 arrests. . Lawrence: 15 investigations resulted in 18 arrests. . Jasper: 11 investigations resulted in 15 arrests. . Barry: Two investigations resulted in one arrest. . Webster: Two investigations resulted in two arrests. . Dade: One investigation resulted in four arrests. . Taney: One investigation resulted in three arrests. . Stone: One investigation resulted in one arrest. . Vernon: One investigation resulted in one arrest. When asked about the absence of McDonald County from the list, Moore said, "Those numbers are not all-inclusive." "There are a lot of factors playing into those numbers," he said. Moore also emphasized that the numbers reflect MoHP-instigated investigations, and do not include cases in which the troopers may have lent an assisting presence. "The McDonald County sheriff may not have asked us for assistance (in drug interdiction)," he said. "The Patrol recognizes McDonald County has some difficult roadways, (and) its presence is more traffic-related there." A lot of the drug work the Missouri Highway Patrol investigates is "along the I-44 corridor," he said. In other Missouri Highway Patrol news, Capt. Mel Schmitt, commanding officer of Troop D, announced Wednesday, Jan. 24, two additional troopers have been assigned to the McDonald and Newton county areas of southwest Missouri. Reason given for the action is the belief manpower increases and stepped up enforcement, including driving while intoxicated sobriety checkpoints, will help reduce the number of traffic accidents and fatalities on Missouri highways. Of the 1,144 people killed last year on Missouri roads, 19 were in McDonald County and 12 were in Newton County. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth