Drug Rocket? Show Me!

Two accused methamphetamine traffickers were arrested last month in Missouri with a rocket powered stash launcher in the trunk of their car. It appears they may have dipping into their inventory.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol officers arrested Michael Ray Sullivan, 41, and Joseph C. Seidl, 39, both of Kentucky, on June 24th. After pulling over the 1990 Ford Thunderbird, the officers became suspicious when the men's stories didn't match.

Officers searched the vehicle and found over $13,500 in cash. They popped the trunk to find three 'dud pipe bombs' and a three to four foot long rocket, loaded with about $145,000 worth of methamphetamine.

Kansas City U.S. Attorney's Office spokesman Don Ledford told the Columbia (Mo.) Daily Tribune that the a 'web of ropes and pulleys lifted the rocket into launch position when the trunk lid was opened.'

He said the rocket could be ignited from inside the car using the cigarette lighter on the dashboard.

Police officers believe the rocket was meant to be an escape pod for the drugs.

Ledford wouldn't speculate on that point, "but they did have the meth inside the rocket, and it could be launched from inside the car."

FMI: www.usdoj.gov/usao/mow/