COLUMBIA — A Columbia man and a Holt's Summit woman were released on bond early Wednesday morning after being arrested on suspicion of manufacturing methamphetamine Tuesday night. According to Detective Tom O’Sullivan of the Boone County Sheriff’s Department, a routine traffic stop led to the discovery of the drug.
Richard F. Wright, 29, of Columbia and Amy E. Kliethermes, 44, of Holt's Summit were stopped around 10 p.m. Tuesday on the 10000 block of I-70 Drive N.E., according to a news release from the sheriff's department. Wright was taken into custody for suspicion of driving with a suspended license. A further search of the vehicle revealed components of a methamphetamine lab as well as finished methamphetamine.
"They (a police officer) found some camping fuel, some coffee filters, lithium batteries, a gas generator, some jars and a coffee grinder in the car," O'Sullivan said.
The pair was stopped because of mismatched plates on the 1994 Dodge Ram pickup truck Wright was driving, O'Sullivan said. The officer then learned that Wright's driver's license was revoked and discovered the methamphetamine and items related to its production.
Wright was arrested on one count of manufacture of a controlled substance, one count of possession of a controlled substance and one count of driving under suspension, according to the release. Kliethermes was arrested on one count of manufacture of a controlled substance and one count of possession of a controlled substance.
O’Sullivan said Kliethermes faced further charges upon arrival at the Boone County Jail.
“Obviously the male officer couldn’t do such an extensive search on-site, but when they got her back to the jail, they found more methamphetamine and a couple pocket knives on her (Kliethermes) that she hadn’t turned over,” said O’Sullivan.
As a result, Kliethermes was also charged with one count of introducing contraband into a correctional facility.
The traffic stop was conducted by the Boone County Sheriff’s Department Pro-Active Patrol unit, which was on assignment in the Chalet Park area because it is believed to be frequented by persons involved in the manufacture of methamphetamine.
“We’ve had some incidents out there recently where we’ve made a couple arrests at a couple homes," O'Sullivan said.
Both Wright and Kliethermes were released from jail on bond around 5 a.m. Wednesday.