Drug Busts On CA

[rFisherk]

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. Missouri Conservation agents made several arrests over the July 4 holiday weekend for illegal drug use at Amidon Memorial Conservation Area (CA). According to Conservation Agent Grant Gelly, there were nine citations issued by the agents for illegal drug use on the area and three for littering.

We work hard to ensure citizens have clean, safe conservation areas to use, Gelly said. Individuals who think these areas are there to use for illegal activities are mistaken and well be sure to be out there waiting for them.

Gelly said several warnings were also issued for possession of glass containers and possession of fireworks on the area. Possession of glass on the area is prohibited for safety reasons and signs are posted throughout the area.

There have been a lot of issues with litter lately in the parking lots and shut-in areas, Gelly said.

Amidon Memorial Conservation Area is a 1,630-acre area located on the upper reaches of the Castor River in Bollinger and Madison counties.

This area is popular for its shut-ins and is a very beautiful area, Gelly said. Its important to us, its important to the people who use it and we hope to keep it in pristine condition.

Gelly said suspicious activity on Amidon or other conservation areas can be reported to local law enforcement or by calling the Operation Game Thief toll free number, 1-800-392-1111. The OGT line is manned 24-hours a day; callers may remain anonymous, and may ask to be considered for a reward, ranging from $50 to $1000 depending on a case by case basis. More information about OGT can be found at mdc.mo.gov.

amidon

Amidon Memorial Conservation Area is a 1,630-acre area located on the upper reaches of the Castor River in Bollinger and Madison counties, popular for its shut-in areas. )

[Gavin]

Gee tickets for smoking dope and littering...You could write tickets for that at any swimming hole in the state.

[fishinwrench]

Alright then, so every time you see a "suspicious" person you call them to come shake'em down!

Then call the county every day to see if you're eligible for that cash yet.

I'm guessing I prolly shouldn't call about the deputy that meets his mistress at the access though, even if after they leave there is like 9 cigarette butts and some Jolly Rancher wrappers on the parking lot where they sat, right?

[Troutnut69]

I'm all for the littering tickets, they should write one every chance they get. On the other hand the "drug busts" were probably for smoking weed as was already stated, personally I'd much rather have them writing people up for things that actually matter, like wildlife code violations. It's hard to police the game laws when you're hiding in the bushes hoping to catch somebody lighting up.

[Chief Grey Bear]

We complain when they write tickets and complain when they don't.

Always demeaning the job they do. Are you people never happy? Let me answer that for you. No.

[Otis Roostertail]

As a former Chief Deputy who patrolled parks, lakes and rivers in Southern Missouri, I can tell you that the ones smoking dope, getting drunk and fighting are the same ones violating the game laws, littering, breaking glass on the rocks, spraying graffiti, etc. We covered 755 Square Miles with six deputies and two water patrol officers (now troopers) and two game wardens. Considering we had two lakes, and two major rivers, corps parks and campgrounds, along with other assorted crimes, any enforcement action you can take ultimately makes our natural resource areas safer and more enjoyable for everyone. We sure did not do it for the money.....

[rondo]

Does 'enforcement action' include putting someone in a boat with their hands cuffed behind their back and not having enough common sense too see what could go wrong with that scenario? Oh, I forgot it was a simple lack of training....unbelievable lack of accountability!

[MOPanfisher]

In a word yes. Albeit a criminally negligent one in my opinion. Keep making the arrest and issuing tickets fellas. Most narcotics violations are simply tickets and release.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Didn't the mouthy punk jump out of the boat?

[Mitch f]

What I find funny, is the boat ramps in the rivers always attract the finest sorts. Just go to Riddle Bridge on the Gasconade any weekend this summer.

But I'm pretty mentally unstable when it comes to protecting my daughter and it has caused me to be a little paranoid of the whole dope thing....even pot. If some dude offered my daughter drugs I might have to go full ghetto on him.