A nearly year-long eastern Kentucky drug trafficking investigation has led to the seizure of over 20 pounds of methamphetamine, over two pounds of heroin and fentanyl and over $100,000 in cash.
According to the Mt. Sterling Police Department, nine suspects were recently indicted as a result of the investigation. The indictments total 27 charges issued by the U.S. Eastern District Federal Court.
During the investigation, conducted by six agencies comprising the Gateway Area Drug Task Force, authorities seized approximately 22 pounds of methamphetamine (worth about $422,000 on the street), just under three pounds of heroin/fentanyl (worth about $200,000 on the street), nine firearms, and $120,000 in cash.
Mt. Sterling police said the suspects face multiple charges, including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, prohibited person in possession of a firearm, use of a firearm in furtherance of narcotics trafficking, and money laundering.
“This organization was believed to be obtaining narcotics from California and having those narcotics transported to Lexington,” officials said. “These narcotics were then being distributed to other local areas including Clark, Montgomery, and Powell counties.”
Additional arrests are anticipated, police said.
The Gateway Area Drug Task Force is comprised of detectives from the Mount Sterling Police Department, Stanton Police Department, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Winchester Police Department, Kentucky State Police, and the ATF.
The task force was assisted in the investigation by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Lexington Police Department and DEA.
(Photos courtesy of the Mt. Sterling PD)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
