ROLLA, Mo. — A 54-year-old Rolla man, Richard Wiggins, has been arrested and charged after a narcotics investigation led police to a hotel room where significant quantities of illegal drugs and firearms were discovered.
On July 30, the Rolla Area Drug Enforcement Task Force (R.A.D.E.), with assistance from the Rolla SWAT team, executed a search warrant at a hotel located in the 1200 block of Kingshighway. When no one responded to officers’ repeated knocking, SWAT forcibly entered through the door and window.
Wiggins was found hiding in the bathroom, while another man—described as a friend—was also present in the room. Both were detained, though charges have not been filed against the second individual as of now.
Inside the hotel room, officers seized suspected fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, controlled substance pills, drug paraphernalia, and two firearms.
Investigators learned from the hotel manager that Wiggins had been living there for approximately six months. He now faces charges of first-degree drug trafficking and unlawful use of a weapon.
Wiggins is currently being held at the Phelps County Jail on a $250,000 bond.
