Narcotics Search Warrant & Criminal Use of Explosives Arrest

Released by Lt. B. Henderson

PITTSBURG, KANSAS – On Thursday morning, June 18, 2020, at approximately 7:00 AM, law enforcement officers with the Pittsburg Police Department arrived at the residence located at 411 W. 5th St., in Pittsburg, regarding the service of a search warrant at that location. The warrant pertained to the possession and distribution of illegal drugs. Entry was made into the residence and only one occupant, 43-year-old Raskia Q. Colbert, of Pittsburg, was located within. Mr. Colbert was detained at that time.

During the initial search of the residence, items believed to be homemade explosive devices were located within. Officers backed out of the residence and notified the Kansas State Highway Patrol’s Hazardous Devices Unit and requested assistance with removing the devices.

Units from the KHP’s Hazardous Devices Unit later arrived and removed six homemade explosive devices from the residence. These explosive devices were later removed from the city and were safely dismantled by the Hazardous Devices Unit, and are being retained as evidence.

On Monday morning, May 18, 2020, at approximately 12:10 AM, law enforcement officers with the Pittsburg Police Department responded to a residence in the 2100 block of S. Broadway St., in Pittsburg, after officers heard an explosion in that area. While checking the area, officers located a residence in this block with damage to its front door that was consistent with a small explosion.

Continued follow up into this May 18th incident by investigators determined that Mr. Colbert was involved with the explosive damage to this aforementioned residence on S. Broadway St., and he was arrested on charges stemming from that incident.

Mr. Colbert was arrested and transported to the jail at the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office for booking. Mr. Colbert was arrested for felony criminal use of explosives, felony aggravated arson, felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor criminal damage to property.

After the explosive devices had been removed, the search of the residence was conducted and several items believed to be marijuana, cocaine and related drug paraphernalia were located. Mr. Colbert was additionally arrested for felony criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, felony distribution of cocaine, felony possession of cocaine, felony possession of drug paraphernalia, misdemeanor criminal use of a weapon, misdemeanor possession of marijuana and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Additional arrest charges were forwarded to the Crawford County Jail for Mr. Colbert.

Mr. Colbert is currently being held in lieu of a $25,000.00 bond.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing at this time. Anyone having information related to this incident, or other crimes, is urged to contact the Pittsburg Police Department at (620) 23,-1700, or at our automated tip line, (620) 23,-TIPS (8477). Callers may remain anonymous.

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