3 arrested after Moniteau County drug bust

Three men were taken into custody after a drug bust early Wednesday morning in Moniteau County.

Around 2:45 a.m., deputies heard radio traffic of a report of suspicious activity in California near the area of South Roache Street and West Wilkes Street, according to Moniteau County Sheriff's Department reports.

Deputies went to assist the California Police Department with the call and made contact with the three subjects, later identified as Eric Miller, 35, of California; Curtis Matheney, 25, of Jefferson City; and James Suggs, 41, of California.

The three reportedly told officers they were in the area to pick up a trailer. Deputies ran background checks and found Miller was on probation for burglary, Matheney was on probation for burglary and possession of a controlled substance, and Suggs was on probation for possession of a controlled substance.

Authorities then searched the three men and the immediate area and allegedly found a rolled-up piece of paper that contained a white substance which field tested positive for methamphetamine. They also reportedly located a black bag that contained additional methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.