ACES drug investigation leads to arrests in Hannibal, Frankford

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Hannibal officers assigned to the Anti-Crime Enforcement Squad made arrests on Wednesday in Hannibal and Frankford involving the transport and sale of methamphetamine. 

As part of the investigation, a traffic stop was conducted Tuesday in the 4000 block of Market Street of Hannibal. During the stop, officers located a large amount of a substance believed to be methamphetamine. Nicole B. Chestnutt, 36, of Hannibal was arrested and placed on a 24-hour hold.

A warrant was issued Wednesday in the 10^th Judicial Circuit Court of Marion County charging Chestnutt with trafficking drugs in the second degree. Bond was set at $50,000 cash. Chestnutt remains in the Marion County Jail.

Coordinating with authorities in Pike County, Mo., officers obtained a search warrant for a residence in the 200 block of Newton Street in Frankford. A search warrant was served Wednesday by the East Central Drug Task Force and the Pike County Sheriff’s Department at the location. During the course of the search, a large amount of a substance believed to be methamphetamine was found. Matthew J. Yates, 37, of Frankford was arrested and placed on a 24-hour hold.

A warrant was issued Thursday in the 45^th Judicial Circuit of Pike County charging Yates with trafficking drugs in the first degree and keeping or maintaining a public nuisance. Bond was set at $500,000 cash only. Yates remains in the Pike County Jail. 

The arrests were a result of cooperation between the Hannibal Police Department, Pike County Sheriff’s Department, East Central Drug Task Force and the Ralls County Sheriff’s Department.