Drug-related felonies pile up for Bluff family

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff man sat in the Stoddard County Jail this week, along with his ex-wife and son, charged with seven more drug-related felonies.

James Smith, 46, of Poplar Bluff has been charged with four Class B felonies of manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and two counts of the sale of a controlled substance; the Class C felony of possession of a meth; and two Class D felonies of possession of ephedrine with intent to manufacture methamphetamine or its analogs and possession of drug paraphernalia, said the Butler County prosecuting attorney's office.

Bond has been set at $75,000 for those charges.

Smith, Brenda Smith, 35, and Martin Edward Smith, 18, also of Poplar Bluff, have been charged with the Class B felony of distribution of a controlled substance in Stoddard County. Bond was set at $125,000 cash for James Smith and Brenda Smith. Martin Smith's bond is $75,000 cash.

The Smiths' arrests are the result of an investigation by the SEMO Drug Task Force, Poplar Bluff Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol and Butler and Stoddard county sheriff's departments.

On Jan. 5, task force officers searched James Smith's residence and found what they thought was a methamphetamine lab, Neely said.

The items seized allegedly included a 20-pound tank of anhydrous ammonia, jars containing chemicals, digital scales and a quantity of methamphetamine, Neely said.

James Smith was arrested that night on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture and distribute.

According to Neely, James and Brenda Smith "traveled to Stoddard County" on Jan. 12 and "distributed one-quarter of an ounce of methamphetamine to an individual."

On Thursday, James Smith again allegedly went to Stoddard County and met with an individual about obtaining a quantity of anhydrous ammonia, Neely said.

During the investigation that day, James Smith reportedly sold methamphetamine to five officers during three separate transactions, Neely said.

Both James and Brenda Smith were arrested Thursday on Stoddard County warrants; their son was arrested Friday.