Suspect in Drug Trafficker’s Death Had Meth Seized From Her

Court records show that one of five people charged in the ambush killing of a drug trafficker in southwest Missouri had recently had a large amount of meth confiscated from her.

The Springfield News-Leader reports that authorities say 19-year-old Brooke Beckley owed $40,000 to a group that was bringing meth from New Mexico to Springfield. She and the other four suspects are charged in Webster County with first-degree murder in the April 25 death of 24-year-old Oscar Martinez.

Authorities haven't said how Beckley might have owed so much, but recently released court documents show police seized four pounds of meth from her 16 days before the killing. The meth has a street value of around $40,000.

Her attorney didn't immediately return a phone message from The Associated Press.