Bloomfield police seize 12 ounces in marijuana bust

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A tip Saturday morning led to the seizure of more than 12 ounces of marijuana in Bloomfield.

According to Bloomfield police chief Jason Curtman, following the tip, officer Travis Stafford observed the suspect driving his vehicle through a stop sign and pulled him over.

Following a search of the vehicle, police discovered 11 1-ounce bags of marijuana and a set of digital scales used for weighing the drugs. Police also seized 2 ounces of marijuana from someone police say the accused had sold to only moments before.

Police arrested Michael Wayne Houston, 34, of Bloomfield, and charged him with distribution of a controlled substance. Brian Eugene Turner, 34, of Bloomfield, was also charged with distribution of a controlled substance. Both men are housed in Stoddard County Jail with bonds set at $125,000.

Curtman said assistant chief Cheryl Malone had been working on this case for some time when the tip came in.

Police value the marijuana at about $1,235.

Curtman said he was pleased with his department's performance and quick action. He said he also wanted to thank the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department for their work in transporting the suspects.

"Cheryl [Malone] is an outstanding investigator and has been an asset to our department," Curtman said Monday. "Stafford has only been with the department for a short time, but we're very glad to have him."

Houston and Turner will both be arraigned this week.