Two members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Troop A in Lee's Summit have been named State Employees of the Month for June.
Sgts. Robert Brooks McGinnis and Gregory D. Primm serve in the SEIZ unit, which is responsible for interdicting drug couriers traveling through the state.
In 2015, McGinnis and Primm conducted 671 traffic stops. During these stops, they conducted 159 searches, with contraband found during 128 of those searches. That figures out to a "hit rate" of 79 percent. These searches resulted in the arrest of more than 50 suspects. It also led to the seizure of the following:
$68,592 in cash.
More than 345 pounds of marijuana.
More than 2 pounds of methamphetamine.
More than 2 pounds of cocaine.
More than 16 ounces of hashish.
Three weapons.
Patrol officials said the most important reason McGinnis and Primm are deserving of this award is the amount of time they provide to troopers and officers of other departments.
"This unit's work ethic is contagious, and their leadership has directly influenced the success of other officers," said Troop A Commanding Officer Capt. Scott Shipers, who nominated McGinnis and Primm.
"The SEIZ unit is self-sufficient and requires minimal supervision. They routinely work long hours to accomplish their mission of ridding Missouri roadways of drug traffickers."