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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">600 E. Walnut Street
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Columbia, MO 65201</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">December 23, 2025</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Brian McNeill
<br />Public Information Specialist
<br />Columbia Police Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.825.4022
<br />policepio@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">Columbia Police make significant arrest, methamphetamine seizure</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">On Dec. 22, detectives with the Columbia Police Department’s Vice, Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit, working in coordination with the North Missouri Drug Task Force, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations, conducted an investigation into methamphetamine trafficking in Columbia. As part of the investigation, a residential search warrant was served in Boone County.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The operation resulted in the arrests of Hector Hernandez Medina, 28, of the country of Mexico, and Ebonie Lewis, 49, of Columbia, and the seizure of a firearm and approximately 56 pounds of suspected methamphetamine concealed within household items.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Investigators determined the methamphetamine was shipped from Mexico to Columbia through a commercial delivery service. During the investigation, Medina was determined to be unlawfully present in the United States.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Medina was arrested and charged with one count of first-degree drug trafficking and one count of second-degree drug trafficking. Lewis was arrested and charged with first-degree drug trafficking, unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Anyone with information related to drug activity in Columbia is encouraged to contact CrimeStoppers. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling 573.875.8477 or visiting</span><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="http://www.p3tips.com/899"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">http://www.p3tips.com/899</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Individuals providing information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,500.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Case Number 2025-011753</strong></p>
<p><strong>Missouri statutes:</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">579.065, 579.068 - Drug Trafficking </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">571.070 - Unlawful Possession of a Firearm </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">579.015 - Possession of a Controlled Substance</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">571.070 - Unlawful Possession of a Firearm</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">571.030 - Unlawful Use of a Weapon</span></p></div>
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<div class="attachments">This release has the following attachments:<br /><br /><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=3516">Hector Hernandez Medina</a></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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