For the first time in several years, Moniteau County Sheriff Tony Wheatley said, his deputies have seized heroin following a drug bust this week.
Deputies went to a residence in Lupus on Wednesday to locate a wanted fugitive, according to sheriff's department reports.
Deputies made contact with the resident, Joseph Klinefelter, 34, of Lupus, who told deputies the person they were looking for, Ashley Rybolt, 28, of Hartsburg, was inside the residence and had an active warrant for her arrest from Probation and Parole for possession of a controlled substance with no bond.
Deputies took Rybolt into custody and saw drugs inside the residence. They searched the residence and seized marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, prescription controlled medication and drug paraphernalia.
Rybolt was taken to the Missouri Department of Corrections on her warrants Thursday, and she is awaiting formal drug charges to be filed against her for the items seized at the Lupus residence.
As of Thursday afternoon, Klinefelter was charged with four counts of possession of a controlled substance and was being held in the Moniteau County Jail on $40,000 bond.
"The arrests of these subjects has dealt a significant blow to the illegal drug trade in the northern part of the county," Wheatley said. "Heroin is a very dangerous drug, and we are now increasing our enforcement efforts to make sure this drug does not gain a foothold in our county."