SIKESTON MAN FACES DRUG CHARGES

BENTON -- A Sikeston man thought to be a major player in the Scott County narcotics market has been arrested, the Scott County Sheriff's Department said.

Lee A. Backus, 39, has been charged with felony drug trafficking, Sheriff Bill Ferrell said. Backus was being held Monday in the Scott County Jail in lieu of $200,000 bond.

With assistance from Sikeston police, sheriff's deputies searched Backus' residence on Friday. Along with cash, deputies found 25 individually wrapped rocks of what is thought to be crack cocaine, Ferrell said. It appeared the cocaine, which amounted to 7.2 grams, was for sale, he said.

Only Backus has been charged, but additional arrests based on the search of Backus' residence are possible, Ferrell said.