Four area residents were arrested after the Higginsville Police Department served a search warrant on a public nuisance residence on Thursday, April 2.

According to a probable cause statement, authorities obtained the search warrant in March following a criminal investigation involving the sale, distribution, and consumption of illegal narcotics. Authorities note that the residence is about 1,200 feet from Immanuel Lutheran School and 1,450 feet from a daycare.

Police executed the search warrant on Thursday and arrested four suspects at the scene. Russell Kisner of Corder, Fronz Edwards of Higginsville, Steven Clark of Lexington, and Wesley Levi-Kent were all taken into custody. Police located methamphetamine, methamphetamine paraphernalia, and several rifles and firearms in the residence. All four suspects reportedly have lengthy criminal histories with previous felony charges. Police also searched Kisner’s vehicle outside the residence and located 58 grams of methamphetamine along with other drug paraphernalia.

All four have been charged with possession of a controlled substance, while Kisner, Edwards, and Clark are all facing an additional charge of keeping or maintaining a public nuisance. All four subjects were arraigned on Friday and entered pleas of not guilty. The next hearing in this case is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Thursday, April 16, at Lafayette County Circuit Court.