Missouri’s Williamson County (KFVS) – Following an ongoing investigation into drug trafficking in southern Illinois, two people were taken into custody.
Deputies and members of the Drug Enforcement Unit allegedly started spying on a car that was being used to distribute methamphetamine, according to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office. It had already been found in the course of an undercover mission.
It was believed that the driver was moving meth from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to many locations in southern Illinois.
At 5:26 p.m. on January 26, the suspicious car was spotted driving across the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge, which separates Illinois and Missouri.
After thirty minutes, the car was seen returning to Illinois in an easterly direction.
The car was being followed by deputies as it made its way back to Williamson County.
Upon arriving at the intersection of Illinois Route 13 and 148, the car was stopped by deputies for a probable cause.
When deputies finally got close to the car, which was emitting a strong smell similar to smoked cannabis, they recognized the driver as Dawson D. Shell and the passenger as April R. Switzer.
Deputies discovered several clear plastic bags carrying cannabis when searching the car.
After being taken into custody, Shell and Switzer were taken to the Williamson County Jail.
Switzer admitted to having meth in a plastic bag within a bodily cavity to the deputies as she was being led into the jail. Switzer was permitted by jail staff to retrieve the bag, which was subsequently taken as proof.
After it was confiscated, a field test revealed that the material contained methamphetamine.
Deputies found a smartphone throughout the investigation, and a search warrant that was later obtained revealed a substantial quantity of communication between the parties concerning meth trafficking.
Shell and Switzer received citations for trafficking in meth, delivering methamphetamine (more than 15 grams and less than 100 grams), and having adult-use cannabis in a motor vehicle. Shell received a speeding ticket as well.
Please call the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office at (618) 997-6541 if you have any information on this investigation.