By Talia Kaplan
East St. Louis, IL (KSDK) - A major drug bust took place Tuesday at the Royal Inn Motel in East St Louis. In "Operation Royal Flush," law enforcement executed a search warrant at the motel that police said has been notorious for drugs and prostitution for more than a decade.
More than 60 members of law enforcement infiltrated the motel, searched it high and low, and attemptedto arrest the eight people who were charged early Tuesday morning with nearly 30 felony counts for drug related offenses occurring at the Royal Inn.
Those charges include everything from conspiracy to possession of a controlled substance including crack-cocaine and ecstasy.
One of the people charged is the hotel manager, 54-year-old Bobby Butchee. Police said Butchee is a felon who facilitated some of the drug deals and allowed illegal activity to go on at his place of business.
"Operation Royal Flush" is in effect after a five month investigation initiated by the WAVE Detail, which is geared to targeting crime in East St. Louis.
Master Sgt. Joe Belliveau with the Illinois State Police and the WAVE Detail said this investigation was initiated mostly because of a previous drug bust.
"We were actually able to work undercover agents in the motel to reside there for a short term basis from time to time over the five months," said Master Sgt. Belliveau.
Police hope to arrest all eight of those charged, so far they arrested four andsix additional people for drug related charges.
The state's attorney office said his office is filing for asset forfeiture, to seize the motel and make sure the illegal activity stops.
The breakdown on charges is as follows:
Bobby Butchee, convicted felon (8 counts)
-3 counts of criminal drug conspiracy
-2 counts of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon
-1 count of possession of a controlled substance
-2 counts of permitting use of building for illegal activity
Bond: $250,000
Jennifer Cervantez (1 count)
-1 count of possession of a controlled substance
Bond: $150,000
Vincent McNeil (3 counts)
-2 counts distribution of a controlled within 1,000 feet of a church
-1 count of distribution of a look-alike controlled substance
Bond: $150,000
Darnell Murray, convicted felon (2 counts)
-2 counts distribution of a controlled within 1,000 feet of a church
Bond: $150,000
Chester Mathis, convicted felon (4 counts)
-4 counts of distribution of a controlled within 1,000 feet of a church
Bond: $250,000
Virgle Barber, convicted felon (2 counts)
-2 counts of distribution of a controlled within 1,000 feet of a church
Bond: $150,000
Lafayette Kennel, convicted felon (6 counts)
-6 counts of distribution of a controlled within 1,000 feet of a church
Bond: $300,000
Ousamane Kennel-Bey, convicted felon (1 count)
-1 count of distribution of a controlled within 1,000 feet of a church
Bond: $250,000
