Search warrants executed at Warrenton and Wright City residences resulted in the arrest of two people accused of distributing heroin, Sheriff Kevin Harrison said. The suspects were identified as …
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Search warrants executed at Warrenton and Wright City residences resulted in the arrest of two people accused of distributing heroin, Sheriff Kevin Harrison said.
The suspects were identified as Steven L. Owens, 32, of the 1200 block of Lilac Street in Warrenton, and Beverly S. Ball, 41, of the 13000 block of the South Outer Road in Wright City. Both have been charged with felony distribution of a controlled substance.
Ball also was charged in two felony counts with endangering the welfare of a child.
Owens and Ball are being held in the Warren County Jail in lieu of $25,000 and $45,000 bonds, respectively.
Members of the East Central Drug Task Force, Warren County Sheriff’s Department and Warrenton and Wright City police departments participated in the raids last Thursday, Aug. 12.
At both residences, law enforcement personnel found the suspects emptying gel caps and packing them with heroin. They were caught with uncut heroin and heroin that was ready for distribution, according to Harrison.
Owens was in the process of preparing the heroin for distribution when the warrant was served. Harrison said approximately 20 capsules filled with heroin were seized from the residence located in the Paddock Fields subdivision.
At Ball’s residence, police seized nearly 4 grams of heroin, a sandwich bag that contained five filled capsules and a piece of uncut heroin that she attempted to flush down the toilet when officers arrived, according to the probable cause statement.
Owens was taken into custody at 5:40 p.m., while Ball was apprehended at 9 p.m.
“They were definitely putting heroin on the streets,” Harrison said. “These people were definitely targets buying product, packing it and selling locally.”
Other people were at both residences, but were not arrested or charged, Harrison said. Two children living in Ball’s residence, a 7-year-old girl and 3-year-old boy, were within reach of the heroin, the probable cause statement says.
Harrison pointed out the two suspects were not connected although both warrants were served as part of the same ongoing investigation.
“Heroin is becoming commonly abused,” Harrison said. “We are seeing heroin on a regular basis.”
