County deputies nab three with 9 grams of heroin

Three Poplar Bluff individuals are in custody at the Stoddard County Jail, facing felony drug charges as a result of a Tuesday night arrest.

According to Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner, at approximately 10:21 p.m. on May 5, Stoddard County deputies observed a vehicle parked in the parking lot of a construction business west of Dexter. Hefner said that prior burglaries in that area prompted the deputies to stop and approach the vehicle.

According to the report, deputies saw a male and a female walking around outside the vehicle.

Shannon M. Obarr

When approached, deputies noticed another female was inside the vehicle. The subjects said they were coming from Chicago, Ill., and were switching drivers.

The report states that, when asked for their identification, the subjects said they had no identification on them and gave false names. As the investigation progressed, deputies learned that all three subjects had active warrants from the city of Poplar Bluff.

The deputies were granted permission by the subjects to search the vehicle, and during the search deputies located approximately nine grams of heroin in a single plastic bag.

"Nine grams of heroin is a lot," Hefner explained. "We would certainly consider that to be more than for personal use. But, it wasn't broken down into multiple packages, so we can't charge intent to distribute."

Amy R. Dennis

Deputies arrested William D. Obarr, 27, of Poplar Bluff; Shannon M. Obarr, 30, of Poplar Bluff; and Amy R. Dennis, 26, of Poplar Bluff. All three individuals are charged with the class C felony of possession of a controlled substance -- heroin. Bond has been set at $75,000 cash only.

Although not a drug commonly found in Stoddard County, Hefner said heroin has recently grown in popularity for this area of the state. The Missouri Highway Patrol arrested a woman in Nov. 2013, on four felony charges of possession of heroin; and, in May 2013, two men were arrested between Sikeston and Charleston for trafficking heroin.

"The problem comes from the fact that heroin is cheaper now," Hefner explained. "So many people get into it because it's cheaper than paying for prescription drugs they've become addicted to."

Hefner went on to explain that heroin use has more than doubled from 2007 to 2013.

"We can't say for sure exactly where it's coming from to get here," Hefner remarked. "But we are looking for it and preparing to see more of it."

Hefner further explained that heroin is being produced in a more pure form, so users don't have to shoot it into their veins to get the best high.

"They know now that they can snort it or smoke it," Hefner commented. "They know they don't have to worry about having marks on their arms that everyone can see."

Hefner said his department will continue to look for heroin and other drugs and hope that it stays away from Stoddard County.

All three individuals remain in the Stoddard County Jail at this time.