Joplin Chief of Police Pearson on “Flex Platoon” – large fentanyl drug bust

The Joplin Police Flex Platoon is made up of seasoned officers that mainly works on narcotics investigations.

Joplin Chief of Police Richard Pearson tells Newstalk KZRG:

“They are one win after the next. They’re serving anywhere from one to two search warrants a week. They’re creating confidential informants. They’re making narcotics buys.”

Already making a significant arrest since being formed, the Flex Platoon is winning in their fight against drugs.

Pearson said:

“As a matter of fact, one arrest in particular yielded enough fentanyl to kill. We did the math on this. We actually did the math. This one seizure that they had produced enough fentanyl, pure fentanyl to kill over 1 million people. And that was going to hit the streets of Joplin. We interdicted that. We took that off. We made an arrest of an upper level drug dealer who was pushing that. And we’re going to keep working on that case.” 

If you plan on breaking the law in Joplin, Chief of Police Richard Pearson tells Newstalk KZRG that crime doesn’t pay:

“If we catch you dealing dope and you’re driving a nice car, well, guess who that car belongs to. Now, if you have a bunch of money in your pocket, guess what? That’s no longer your money. The name of the game is going after the assets of drug dealers, because the point of dealing drugs is to make money.  We take your money, then it takes away the point of dealing drugs.” 

Pearson went on to say:  “And the message that I have to people who are in Joplin for nefarious means is, you better find somewhere else to go because we are coming for you. It’s just a matter of time. You better raise up out of Dodge because we’re going to get you.”

Hear the full interview in the podcast section.