Narcotics investigation leads to four arrests in Blue Eye

Collaboration between neighboring law enforcement agencies led to four arrests and a significant narcotics seizure in Blue Eye.

A coordinated narcotics investigation in Blue Eye led to four arrests and the seizure of approximately 5 ounces of suspected methamphetamine, multiple firearms and an alleged homemade silencer.

Evidence recovered during the Blue Eye narcotics investigation included suspected methamphetamine, firearms and an alleged homemade silencer. (Photos courtesy of the Stone County Sheriff’s Office)

The Stone County Sheriff’s Office executed a narcotics-related search warrant on Aug. 6 at a residence located at 72 Spin Wheel Lane in Blue Eye. The coordinated effort resulted from an ongoing narcotics investigation involving the Stone County and Taney County sheriff’s offices.

The Stone County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team (SRT) executed the warrant alongside Stone County detectives, with assistance from Taney County detectives. Investigators reported recovering approximately 5 ounces of suspected methamphetamine, multiple firearms, an alleged homemade silencer and additional evidence consistent with illegal narcotics activity.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Cody Raymond Plumlee, 33, David Byron Manley, 57, Karissa Lynn Strack, 41, and Brennan Aldon Badley, 34, were taken into custody and booked into the Stone County Jail. According to Stone County Sheriff’s Office booking information, all four face charges of second-degree drug trafficking, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful use of a weapon involving possession of a weapon and a felony-controlled substance. Plumlee, Manley and Badley also face charges of unlawful possession of a firearm. The bond had not been set at the time the booking information was released. All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

According to the Stone County Sheriff’s Office, a 12-year-old girl was inside the residence when the warrant was executed. Stone County Sheriff Doug Rader said the SRT knew the child was there before entering and, despite the number of people and firearms inside the residence, officers were able to execute the warrant without anyone being injured.

“Even with all the guns in the house and the number of people, we executed it swiftly and safely and nobody got hurt,” Rader said. “That’s one of the most important things at the end of the day.”

Rader said Stone County and Taney County detectives worked together to obtain information about what authorities believed was a significant drug supplier in the area.

“This was a great joint investigation with Taney County detectives of a pretty large drug supplier in the area,” Rader said.

Anyone with information regarding suspected illegal drug activity may contact the Stone County Sheriff’s Office at 417-357-6116.