Man arrested after joint narcotics trafficking investigation in Boone County

A man is facing drug and weapons charges after a joint narcotics investigation in Boone County.

According to police, the Boone County Sheriff’s Department and the Columbia Police Department were doing a joint investigation into narcotics trafficking on East St. Charles Road.

After obtaining a search warrant, SWAT officers took William Lauer into custody for an outstanding traffic warrant.

Police say after searching Lauer, they found half a gram of a crystal substance that tested positive for meth. They say they also found a bag near where Lauer was first contacted by the SWAT team that had a loaded revolver inside.

Lauer was arrested for possession of controlled substance, unlawful use of weapons and misdemeanor warrant for failure to appear on traffic. He was charged in Boone County with unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance.