The Reporter covers Miller, Morgan and Camden County in Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks and is published once per week on Wednesdays.

Published February 12, 2025

Osage Beach K-9 Freya assists in drug arrest

OSAGE BEACH – A Kaiser man has been arrested after an investigation and traffic stop last Wednesday (February 5).

According to the Osage Beach Police Department (OBPD) on that day the OBPD K-9 Unit, in collaboration with the Mid-Missouri Multi-Jurisdictional Task Force, arrested a suspected drug trafficker, leading to the seizure of a one-quarter pound of suspected methamphetamine.

The Task Force had been tracking Michael L. Hartwell, 43, of Kaiser, MO, as part of an ongoing investigation and followed him into Camden County.

Upon entering Osage Beach, Task Force officers requested assistance from the Osage Beach Police Department.

Corporal Stephen Riner located Hartwell in the 5900 block of Osage Beach Parkway where he observed Hartwell enter a vehicle and drive away.

Riner confirmed with dispatch that Hartwell did not have a valid driver’s license and began to follow the suspect.

When Hartwell pulled into a closed business, Cpl. Riner initiated contact.

According to the OBPD, during the interaction, Hartwell displayed signs of drug use. When asked for consent to search the vehicle, Hartwell refused. At that point, K-9 Officer Freya was deployed for a “free air” sniff, and she signaled the presence of illegal drugs.

Police said a subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered:

• Four baggies contained approximately one-quarter pound of methamphetamine
• Hypodermic needles
• Glass pipe
• Two digital scales
• Metal scoop
• Small box with a white crystal substance
• Portable battery with a white crystal substance believed to be meth
• $175 in cash

Hartwell was on probation and parole for Possession of a Controlled Substance. He was taken into custody and transported to the Camden County Jail.

He has been charged with Trafficking Drugs or Attempt – 1st Degree – Over Statutory Amount, with bond denied.

“This arrest marks another successful collaboration between the Osage Beach Police Department and the Mid-Missouri Multi-Jurisdictional Task Force in the fight against drug trafficking,” an OBPD spokesman said.

Hartwell is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The charges filed are merely accusations and defendants are entitled to a fair trial.

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