News Flash

K-9 Unit Recovers Psilocybin Mushrooms in Drug Possession Arrest

The Osage Beach K-9 Unit made another drug-related arrest with the help of K-9 Officer Freya. This time, her nose netted a cache of more than $800 in illegal psilocybin mushrooms.

On February 28, 2025, at 10:27 p.m., Osage Beach Police Department Corporal Stephen Riner was patrolling eastbound on Highway 54 near the Exit 42 ramp when he observed a vehicle changing lanes without signaling. He initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, identified as Eric Christopher Opie of Eldon, Missouri.

After explaining the reason for the stop, Cpl. Riner had Opie sit inside his patrol vehicle while checking his driving status. During this time, Opie became noticeably anxious—talking excessively, breathing heavily, sweating profusely, and shaking. Suspicious of this behavior, Cpl. Riner requested consent to search Opie’s vehicle. Instead of answering, Opie asked why the officer was “messing with him” but did not provide a clear response.

Cpl. Riner then deployed his partner, K-9 Officer Freya, for a free-air sniff around the vehicle. Ofc. Freya alerted multiple times at the driver’s door, indicating the presence of narcotics. Upon searching the vehicle, Cpl. Riner discovered four bags of psilocybin mushrooms, which are illegal to possess within the state of Missouri. Three of the bags contained approximately 34 grams each, while the fourth was mostly empty. The street value is roughly $830.

Opie was taken into custody and transported to the Camden County Jail. He has been charged with two felony counts, including one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance and one count of Deliver Controlled Substance Except 35 Grams or Less of Marijuana or Synthetic Cannabinoid. Bond was denied.

Osage Beach Police Officer Involved in Wrong Way Crash

In the early hours of March 1, 2025, an Osage Beach Police officer was involved in a traffic crash with an allegedly intoxicated driver going the wrong way on Highway 54.

Officer Stephen Wright was traveling west on Highway 54 in the outside lane when a Nissan Altima, driven by Steven Paul Deluca of Spring Hill, Florida, entered the highway from the on-ramp in the 5000 blk. of Osage Beach Parkway.

Once on Highway 54, Deluca attempted a U-turn, heading east in the westbound lanes. Officer Wright tried to avoid a collision, but Deluca struck the right side of his patrol vehicle. Deluca then fled the scene by driving back up the ramp in the wrong direction.

Officer Wright was not injured. Deluca was later arrested by deputies with the Camden County Sheriff’s Office. Deluca is facing multiple charges, including Driving While Intoxicated. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Charges filed are merely accusations, and defendants are entitled to a fair trial.