Sikeston family members arrested in drug raid

An early morning raid Wednesday resulted in the arrest of several members of Sikeston's Sumlin family on suspicion of possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute.

Three family members, Elliott M. Sumlin, 31, Eldridge A. Sumlin, 31, and Ella Sumlin, 68, were arrested on suspicion of distribution of a controlled substance near a public school. Their bonds were set at $500,000.

Ella Sumlin served prison time from 1990 to 1994 for drug trafficking.

Another family member, Wayne J. Sumlin, 43, and R.B. Yarber, 72, were arrested on federal warrants.

Vehicles, currency and a large amount of a controlled substance believed to be crack cocaine was seized during the early morning raid, said Scott County Sheriff Bill Ferrell.

Six federal search warrants were served by seven teams of law enforcement officers, including the Scott and New Madrid County sheriff's departments, the Sikeston police, the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The warrants were a result of a year-long, muti-jursidictional investigation. In addition to the search warrants, several state and federal warrants were also served.

Additional arrests included Eric K. Ranson, 24, and Makesha L. Gipson, 28, on counts for possession of a controlled substance. Their bonds were set at $27,500.

Ferrell said more suspects are being sought on warrants regarding the investigation.