Camdenton, MO - 02-07-25 - As part of our ongoing narcotics investigations with multiple sister agencies Sheriff Chris Edgar is proud to announce the arrest of another drug trafficker in Camden County.  Wednesday night Camden County Deputies and Task Force Officers from the Mid Missouri Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force tracked a suspected drug trafficker into Camden County. Deputies then contacted Osage Beach Police who assisted in stopping the suspected vehicle in the 5900 block of Osage Beach Parkway. Once stopped OBPD K9 Freya conducted a free air sniff and alerted to the presence of narcotics.

A search of the vehicle yielded over a hundred grams of methamphetamine, narcotics packaging materials, scales, and drug paraphernalia.

Michael L Hartwell, 43, of Kaiser, was arrested and transported to the Camden County Adult Detention Facility. He was booked on his outstanding parole violation warrant and has since been charged with the Class A Felony of 1st Degree Drug Trafficking. He is being held without bond.

This is another outstanding example of how working together with multiple agencies can help slow the influx of narcotics into our community. A huge thank you to the Osage Beach Police Department and K9 Freya for their outstanding efforts in service to the people of Osage Beach and all of Camden County and the Lake of the Ozarks area.

A reminder that these charges are merely allegations of wrongdoing. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

• - Sheriff Chris Edgar