Raid on Baxter Springs home leads to three arrests, confiscation of drugs, guns

(From the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office)

An investigation into suspected illegal drug activity led the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office to obtain a search warrant for the home located at 1335 East Avenue in Baxter Springs Thursday morning.

Around 8:30 a.m., the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Baxter Springs Police Department executed the warrant where Sheriff’s Detective’s discovered narcotics, paraphernalia consistent with illegal drug sales and firearms, including a handgun previously reported stolen in Missouri.

Arrested at the scene were 22-year-old Malachi Bain and 19-year-old Leslie Dobbs, both of the home. They are each being held in the Cherokee County Jail without bond on allegations of Possessing Marijuana with Intent to Distribute within 1,000 feet of a School, Felony Possession of Controlled Substances, Criminal Use of a Firearm, Felony Possession of Stolen Property, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Also arrested at the scene was Rayden Emilio Mestas, 20, of Columbus. He is being held in the Cherokee County Jail in lieu of $3,000.00 bond on allegations of Possessing Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia.

“Over recent days, while conducting surveillance on the home which is located a short distance from Central School, investigators observed young children playing in the neighborhood,” according to Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves.

“Illegal drug sales of any kind are inherently dangerous and I’m appreciative of our detective’s efforts to keep kids in that neighborhood safe by seizing narcotics along with firearms used by those suspected of being involved in drug distribution,” stated Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves.