KANSAS CITY, MO. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Missouri, Western), published as received.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Cleveland, Mo. man was charged by criminal complaint after investigators seized 86 pounds of methamphetamine.
Russell D. Kircher, 41, was charged in a one-count criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint on May 4, 2026, investigators of the Missouri Western Interdiction and Narcotics Task Force (MOWIN) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Kansas City Interdiction Task Force (KCITF) were working at the “sort” at a UPS center when they identified a parcel being shipped from Los Angeles, Ca., to Cleveland, Mo. Investigators observed the parcel to be consistent with attempted concealment of illegal drugs and obtained a search warrant for it. Investigators opened the parcel and observed an orange-colored FIFA HOME DEPOT bucket. The bucket contained approximately 22 pounds of methamphetamine.
On May 5, 2026, an undercover investigator delivered the parcel to the delivery address in Cleveland, Mo. Investigators obtained a search warrant from the Cass County, Mo. Circuit Court. Kircher was arrested and investigators recovered approximately 2.24 grams of methamphetamine and a glass pipe from Kircher’s person.
After obtaining another search warrant, investigators searched Kircher’s property and located a large plastic tote, approximately six to eight inches deep in the ground, containing 27 sealed packages of methamphetamine, weighing approximately 62.88 pounds.
In total, investigators seized approximately 84 pounds of methamphetamine.
The charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Jennings. It was investigated by the Cass County, Mo. Sheriff’s Office, Cass County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, DEA Kansas City Interdiction Task Force, and Missouri Western Interdiction and Narcotics Task Force.
Operation Take Back America
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
