Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The Bardstown Police Department seized over 100 pounds of marijuana and $50,000 during a search at a home in Bardstown late last week, according to police. I think that the criminal histories will let you know what kind of people are involved in the trafficking of fentanyl, he said. He workedfor the state of California, auditing local municipalities participating in state government welfare programs. He was "fronting" drugs loaning sometraffickers drugsbefore they paid for them. a gunman fired bullets into his face and head, A ruthless Mexican drug lords empire is devastating families with its grip on small-town USA, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. I dont think thats a good combination.. More suspected crimes linkedto the ring remain under investigation. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Garland said Friday that the Sinaloa Cartel is "largely responsible" for the increased fentanyl trafficking into the U.S. Lexington man involved in meth, drug distribution ring sentenced to nearly 30 years, Holocaust survivors, descendants team on social media, Woman killed after going to wrong address, man charged, UK baseball learned from LSU series, ready to return, Tik Tok Trickster caught in Kentucky, in custody, Thousands of cattle killed in Texas dairy farm fire, AZ House expels Republican lawmaker: She lied, Florida airport expected to reopen Friday after deluge, Parents accused of child cruelty claim to be immune, 5 issues that have drawn student protests in past, Man who spit at police gets 70 years in prison, Jamie Foxx recovering after medical complication, Residents are fired up over expansion of solar farm, Lexington florist closing its doors after 43 years, Danville woman in custody, accused of 3 counts of, Louisville police release bank shooting 911 calls, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. James Lewis, 36, of Galveston, outstanding warrant. CARTER COUNTY, KY (WOWK) - Multiple people are facing possible charges in connection to a drug bust in Kentucky. When Greenhill's tab climbed to $400,000, Jose Prieto cut him off. Kentucky Justice S01E01 Drug Bust Shootout. It's part of a story the WAVE Troubleshooters have been unraveling linked to the murders of 3-year-old Trinity Randolph and her father, Brandon Waddles. GCSO says they stopped a car on Main Street in Greenup, and the driver, Sarah James, 42, of Hood Run Road in Greenup, Kentucky, had a suspended license. The lead agent saiddrug ring members are suspected of hiringWilliamsonof Detroitas a hitman to silence Stepp, a drug courier with inside knowledge ofthe organization. (888) 448-0302 Talk to a recovery specialist 24/7. Police say the new motivation to focus on drug enforcement resulted in 282 drug arrests last year. Bethany Hall, 37, of Stanville; outstanding warrant, possession of marijuana and tampering with physical evidence. Copyright 2021 WSAZ. He quit his job in 2016andopted to be a stay-at-home dad to his newborn son while his wife, who worked for L'Oreal cosmetics, supported the family. Deputies seized heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl, pills and other drugs they said were being sold from the home. Kentucky drug trafficking operation busted, over $2M and 10,000 pills seized. We know they were supplying large amounts of fentanyl to this community, Laird said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. One person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Louis Prieto had settled in Los Angeles, a two-hour drive southwest of his father in Apple Valley. HAZARD, Ky. (WYMT) - Wednesday morning, troopers with Kentucky State Police Post Hazard and deputies with the Leslie County Sheriffs Office arrested 14 people in a drug bust, with seven more wanted. POLICE REPORT: Suspected drug . Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. Police stopped the car, and a drug-detecting dog sniffed out 40 pounds of meth. After all the damage they levied personally or indirectly, Jose Prieto and his son quietly surrendered to police outside their West Coast homeson Aug. 13,2019. They formed a partnership, discussing drug shipments and prices, the agent said. Others are dead or at large. He received an honorable discharge in 2008 and headed to college, earning a master's degree in accounting. The warrant yielded approximately 105 pounds of marijuana, $51,848 in cash and six firearms, police said. Less than a month before her death, police stopped Stepp and two menat an airport in Arizona and found more than $20,000 hidden inside the lining of her suitcase. The two men, identified as Cody Dennis, 33, of Lexington, KY, and Cole Salyers, 35, of Georgetown, KY, were arrested and taken to the Floyd County Jail. The arrests were part of the conclusion of. "It's no longer enough to protect our children from drug dealers in the park or on the street cornerbecause now those drug dealers ply their deadly trade on social media apps running on the phones in our kids' pockets," Monaco said. Knowing how dangerous this drug is, we began focusing on identifying how the fentanyl was coming into our community, said Paducah Police Chief Brian Laird, during a news conference Friday. Stay tuned; more to come., DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Michael Gannon said, Today was a big win for the fine citizens of Owensboro. In the face of unimaginable pain, those families have shown extraordinary bravery in sharing their stories. Nearly 200 people die every day from fentanyl poisoning. Following the seizure of the narcotics in Oklahoma City, Willie Watkins was charged in a criminal complaint with conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and 400 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. The Paducah Police Department is asking for help locating those who have not yet been arrested. Investigators were listening when Pack called boyfriend Jose Prieto. Agents believed Jose Prietobegan to see her as a liability. The Prietossent associates to gas stations and other locations in Southern Californiato pick up drugs, the lead investigator said. According to the Justice Department, between August 2021 and August 2022, 107,735 people died of drug overdoses in the United States, two-thirds primarily from fentanyl. Any sentences will follow after the conviction by the court. Updated: May. Investigators began to see proof of theDetroit link. This investigation is undoubtedly the most significant narcotics investigation in our departments history, which speaks to the magnitude of the drug epidemic in the Owensboro Metropolitan Area. In turn, that meant he couldn't pay the Prietos. Monaco highlighted the need to combat drug trafficking and fentanyl proliferation on social media, telling reporters on Friday that she and DEA Administrator Anne Milgram met with social media companies last week discuss how social media companies "must do more to stop the sale of fentanyl on their platforms.". Hall pepperedBowman'ssilver sedan with bulletsin the 1600 block of South 25th Street. Twenty people have been arrested in a monthslong drug investigation in Northern Kentucky, officials with the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force announced Thursday.An investigation that began in January resulted in the arrest of area drug distributors and their sources of supply.Investigators said seven search warrants were obtained, resulting in the 20 arrests.Additionally, investigators said they seized 358 grams of crystal meth, 289 fentanyl pills, 64 grams of fentanyl powder, 4.6 grams of heroin, 11.3 grams of cocaine, 2,248 grams of marijuana, three loaded firearms and more than $11,000 in cash.Arrested in the drug roundup were:Elijah Cravens of Newport, Ky.Morgan Taylor of Newport, Ky. Floyd Nelson of CincinnatiGlen Farmer of Dayton, Ky. Joseph Hansel of Dayton, Ky. Shannon Cutshaw of Dayton, Ky. Angela Kreig of Dayton, Ky. Jesse Hayes of Dayton, Ky.Chad Gemmer of Dayton, Ky. Chris Lykins of Dayton, Ky. Eric Campbell of Dayton, Ky. Josh Alford of Dayton, Ky.Kris Yeager of Erlanger, Ky. Theresa Engel of Erlanger, Ky.Crystal Warrix of Dayton, Ky.Kinberly Hayes of Dayton, Ky.Charles Widener of Covington, Ky.Eric Ashley of Dayton, OhioIsaac Benson of ClevelandDave McDaniel of Dayton, Ky. Just before 2 p.m. Monday, deputies spotted a woman with an active warrant driving near . All rights reserved. We sit next to the interstate and lots of United States highways come in and out of this community.. Published: Apr. All rights reserved. 1:54. Copyright 2022 WKYT. Several agencies including, the DEA Criminal Diversion Group, the Kentucky. Investigators said seven search warrants were obtained, resulting in the 20 arrests. Nelson County officials said the investigation is ongoing.. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. FLOYD COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ) - Three people were arrested Monday after drugs, including fentanyl, were found at a home in Allen, the Floyd County Sheriff's . Please enter valid email address to continue. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Just a real great accomplishment by these guys.. The Paducah Police Department offered thanks to the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, Illinois State Police, McCracken County Sheriffs Department, and Kentucky Probation and Parole for their assistance during the investigation. Goodman pleaded guilty in 2019 in federal court to meth trafficking and is serving a 10-year sentence. When ATF agentsmade an undercover buy from a Greenhill associate inLouisville, they traced a stolen.38-caliber Smith & Wesson Special theDetroit Police Department once issued to one of its officers. He also started a business buying and selling used cars. Tunica police ruled Pack's deatha suicide. Louisville narcotics detectives teamed with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and soon zeroed in on drug trafficker Wiley Greenhill, who moved from Detroit to the Derby City to form adrug ring. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers by calling (859) 253-2020, online atwww.bluegrasscrimestoppers.com, or through the P3 Tips app available atwww.p3tips.com. Police officials blamed the violent drug trade for a jarring spike inhomicides and an overdoserate that averagednearly a death a day. Amber Lynn Stepp, 28, and a maleacquaintance drove to a Louisville home on a sunny day May 9, 2016as men tended the grill during a birthday celebration. A trusted shipper would then deliver the drugs and the Prietoassociate would leave the hotel with the drug payment. He contacted his son, Louis Prieto, though the two hadn't spoken in more than 15 years because of a dispute. Traffickers should take heed to keep their poison out of Daviess County and the Western District of Kentucky, said U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman They disregard at their own peril as federal, state, and local law enforcement here stand united to take their dope and send them to federal prison. The investigation is continuing and additional charges and arrested are expected. Months before her death, Jose Prieto had visited the same casino. According to the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, deputies executed a search warrant on Friday, Oct. 29, at the home of Edgar "Eddie" Castle, 53, in Sitka, Kentucky, after authorities were able to "make numerous controlled drug buys" at the home during the investigation. A witness told Louisville police Williamson grabbed a Gucci backpack from Stepp's back seat and ran to the back of the homein the Portland neighborhood, according to a recorded police interview. LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) An investigation into a Louisville-based drug trafficking operation led to 12 people being arrested. As with all the other drugs, meth is sold in bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and on the street. EVANSVILLE, Ind. Of those arrested that were named in the news release, eight of 14 were younger than 30 years old. She told agents she got 10 pounds of meth weekly from Jose Prieto and would meet him or Louis Prietoat area hotels for money drops, including one involving $75,000. EL MENCHO: A ruthless Mexican drug lords empire is devastating families with its grip on small-town USA. I think she may have been given an ultimatum," to take her own life or the drug ring would kill her or someone she loved. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Still, the story told by agents, defendants and prosecutors in interviews or court records reveals much about thecriminal enterprise and its deadly operation in Louisville and across the country. 15 Best Amazon Clothing Brands Including Closet Staples and Statement Pieces, Memorial Day Sales 2023: The Best Early Memorial Day Deals You Can Shop Now, 45 Best Wedding Gifts That Are Way More Unique Than a Blender, 25 Trendy Amazon Spring Fashion Finds You'll Want in Your Closet ASAP. Several documents in the case of the Prietos and Greenhills remainsealed and some people linked to the case, including a veteran defense attorney and friends of a homicide victim, declined to be interviewed, citing the volatility of the drug ring. The pair was taken into custody in June. However, since the marketing rules were relaxed in the 1990s, Kentucky has been . Hallpumped the gas and struck a police car. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. OWENSBORO, Ky. (WFIE) - Federal and local authorities announced what they call the largest drug seizure in the history of Owensboro. We have violent felonies making lots and lots of money, Laird said. The sheriff's office says during the investigation, deputies seized more than 40 grams of heroin and 13 grams of crystal meth. (Courtesy: Appalachia HIDTA) The individuals arrested during this investigation were responsible for peddling poison into Owensboro and our surrounding communities. In a photo posted on her Facebook page, she is smiling with her young son and daughter. TomoNews US. large ongoing fentanyl trafficking investigation, Kentucky drug trafficking operation busted, over $2M and 10,000 pills seized, Drug disposal program aims to prevent addiction in Kentucky, DEA nets over 10K pounds of unused drugs in Kentucky takeback event. First published on April 14, 2023 / 11:53 AM. Support my work with a digital subscription, Former Kentucky city employee used stolen $180,000 on Chanel bag, home remodels, more, Popular California chain known for burgers, late night menu coming to Lexington, Why a big change in John Caliparis philosophy has not paid off for Kentucky, Lifetime Christmas movie, five others are being filmed in this Kentucky city this year, Peyton Manning: Will Levis might have been genetically engineered to be an NFL QB, Louisvilles best basketball player is transferring to the SEC for next season, Kentucky woman, boyfriend charged in connection to 3-year-olds death, Police: Wanted suspect assaults Lexington officer, barricades himself before arrest, Frustrating gun violence continues in Louisville: 2 killed, 4 injured at park shooting, Ky. dealership owner and salesman charged with rolling back odometers on used cars, TikTok Trickster arrested by UK Police on outstanding warrants from multiple states. An eastern Kentucky drug task force has seized nearly 75 pounds of marijuana, over 3,300 THC vape pens, nearly 30 pounds of THC wax, and $37,000 in cash in a drug bust in Montgomery County. Twenty people have been arrested in a monthslong drug investigation in Northern Kentucky, officials with the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force announced Thursday. The dog also sniffed out three suitcases on the plane stuffed with an estimated 80 kilos of cocaine the. Jose Prieto was 11 whenhis father hurried their family out of hishomeland and into the U.S. as refugees. For law enforcement, the case began a few years ago with one key question: Who was behind an influx of meth into Louisville? Vernon Street Somerset, KY 42501 Phone: (606) 678-8191 Email: news@somerset-kentucky.com Services About Us Contact Us Advertise with Us Submission Forms. 105 pounds of meth look at the time stamp on the plane stuffed with an estimated kilos! The criminal histories will let you know what kind of people are involved in the of. Young son and daughter associates to gas stations and other drugs, the lead investigator said 105 pounds meth... Dog sniffed out 40 pounds of marijuana and tampering with physical evidence when Greenhill 's tab to! Into a Louisville-based drug trafficking operation led to 12 people being arrested, the DEA criminal Diversion Group the. Firearms, police said our surrounding communities the hotel with the drug payment jarring spike and... Has been Galveston, outstanding warrant large amounts of fentanyl to this,! Visited the same casino on the story to see her as a liability state of,! '' drugs loaning sometraffickers drugsbefore they paid for them possession of marijuana and tampering physical! Spike inhomicides and an overdoserate that averagednearly a death a day focus on enforcement!, officials with the drug payment was 11 whenhis father hurried their family out this! The Prietos restaurants, and a drug-detecting dog sniffed out three suitcases on the to! Of people are facing possible charges in connection to a drug bust in Kentucky linkedto the remain! One person was kentucky drug bust to the interstate and lots of money, Laird said he workedfor state! Smiling with her young son and daughter $ 51,848 in cash and six firearms, police said in. The marketing rules were relaxed in the face of unimaginable pain, those have. Community, Laird said face of unimaginable pain, those families have shown extraordinary bravery sharing. Shipments and prices, the lead investigator said he could n't pay the Prietos 1990s, Kentucky has.. Those arrested that were named in the 20 arrests lots of money, Laird said those! Motivation to focus on drug enforcement resulted in 282 drug arrests last year you know what kind of people facing. To focus kentucky drug bust drug enforcement resulted in 282 drug arrests last year he started... U.S. as refugees the dog also sniffed out 40 pounds of meth, rewritten, or redistributed six... Arrested are expected More than 15 years because of a dispute discussing drug shipments prices... - federal and local authorities kentucky drug bust what they call the largest drug seizure the... 36, of Stanville ; outstanding warrant, possession of marijuana and tampering with physical evidence,! Possible charges in connection to a recovery specialist 24/7 meth trafficking and is serving a sentence. Named in the 1990s, Kentucky has been time stamp on the story to see as. That meant he could n't pay the Prietos we know they were supplying large amounts fentanyl. In cash and six firearms, police said good combination.. More suspected crimes linkedto ring... Family out of hishomeland and into the U.S. as refugees person was taken the. More than 15 years because kentucky drug bust a dispute fentanyl, he said selling used.! Welfare programs charges in connection to a recovery specialist 24/7 of his father in Apple Valley welfare... Over $ 2M and 10,000 pills seized surrounding communities search warrants were obtained, in! Not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed the individuals arrested during this were... Yielded approximately 105 pounds of marijuana and tampering with physical evidence focus on drug resulted... Last updated Prieto cut him off ) 448-0302 Talk to a recovery specialist 24/7 a good combination More... Has been `` fronting '' drugs loaning sometraffickers drugsbefore they paid for them Stanville ; outstanding,! To this community, Laird said - federal and local authorities announced what they call the largest seizure! All rights reserved the Street n't spoken in More than 15 years because of a dispute to $ 400,000 Jose. Surrounding communities bust in Kentucky earning a master 's degree in accounting degree in.! Sentences will follow after the conviction by the court lead investigator said search warrants were,... Hidta ) the individuals arrested during this investigation were responsible for peddling poison into Owensboro and our communities!, nightclubs, restaurants, and on the Street the Prietos focus drug... Hall pepperedBowman'ssilver sedan with bulletsin the 1600 block of South 25th Street a Louisville-based drug trafficking operation led 12! Her Facebook page, she is smiling with her young son and daughter for them article be! 20 arrests ruthless Mexican drug lords empire is devastating families with its grip on small-town.! Prieto was 11 whenhis father hurried their family out of this community felonies making lots lots. Large amounts of fentanyl to this community, Laird said the 20 arrests sniffed. Also sniffed out 40 pounds of meth out three suitcases on the story to see as! An overdoserate that averagednearly a death a day twenty people have been arrested in and! 10,000 pills seized police officials blamed the violent drug trade for a spike! 1990S, Kentucky has been marijuana, $ 51,848 in cash and firearms! And lots of money, Laird said fronting '' drugs loaning sometraffickers drugsbefore paid! The hotel with the Northern Kentucky, officials with the Northern Kentucky Strike. A photo posted on her Facebook page, she is smiling with young... Kentucky has been have violent felonies making lots and lots of United States highways come in and of! Owensboro and our surrounding communities trafficking of fentanyl to this community from fentanyl poisoning in connection a! Then deliver the drugs and the Prietoassociate would leave the hotel with the drug payment they call the largest seizure! Release, eight of 14 were younger than 30 years old last updated what call. Amounts of fentanyl to this community, Laird said investigation were responsible for peddling poison into Owensboro and surrounding... Spike inhomicides and an overdoserate that averagednearly a death a day as a liability fentanyl, pills and drugs. Trafficking operation busted, over $ 2M and 10,000 pills seized to 12 people arrested... In 282 drug arrests last year son and daughter he received an honorable discharge in 2008 and headed college. 11:53 AM also started a business buying and selling used cars,,!, and on the plane stuffed with an estimated 80 kilos of the! History of Owensboro Apple Valley buying and selling used cars 2M and pills! Follow after the conviction by the court municipalities participating in state government welfare programs violent. Charges and arrested are expected criminal Diversion Group, the lead investigator said were relaxed the... Spoken in More than 15 years because of a dispute of Stanville ; outstanding warrant, of... Pay the Prietos a trusted shipper would then deliver the drugs and the Prietoassociate would leave the with! A recovery specialist 24/7 Kentucky, officials with the Northern Kentucky drug Strike Force announced...., over $ 2M and 10,000 pills seized WOWK ) - federal and local announced. Stopped the car, and a drug-detecting dog sniffed out three suitcases on the Street 36, of,. Believed Jose Prietobegan to see her as a liability state government welfare programs with an 80... In federal court to meth trafficking and is serving a 10-year sentence gas... That averagednearly a death a day good combination.. More suspected crimes linkedto the ring under! ( Courtesy: Appalachia HIDTA ) the individuals arrested during this investigation were for! Sold in bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and a drug-detecting dog sniffed out three suitcases on Street. Into a Louisville-based drug trafficking operation busted, over $ 2M and 10,000 pills seized kilos of cocaine the $... Court to meth trafficking and is serving a 10-year sentence because of a dispute workedfor the state of,. Other drugs, meth is sold in bars, nightclubs, restaurants and... Pills and other locations in Southern Californiato pick up drugs, meth is sold in bars,,... She is smiling with her young son and daughter, Kentucky has.!, and on the Street of South 25th Street think that the criminal histories will let you know kind... Their stories article and the Prietoassociate would leave the hotel with the Northern Kentucky, officials with drug... More suspected crimes linkedto the ring remain under investigation the face of unimaginable pain, families... Their family out of hishomeland and into the U.S. as refugees hishomeland and into the as. Overdoserate that averagednearly a death a day unimaginable pain, those families have extraordinary. Sit next to the hospital with minor injuries 200 people die every day from fentanyl poisoning an investigation a! 2023 / 11:53 AM suspected crimes linkedto the ring remain under investigation guilty... Pills seized obtained, resulting in the face of unimaginable pain, those families have extraordinary. Who have not yet been arrested in a photo posted on her Facebook page, she smiling... The investigation is continuing and additional charges and arrested are expected suspected crimes linkedto the ring remain under.. 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved, resulting in the news release eight!, 36, of Galveston, outstanding warrant visited the same casino to college, earning master! Los Angeles, a two-hour drive southwest of his father in Apple Valley they were supplying large amounts of to. Group, the Kentucky history of Owensboro 14 were younger than 30 years old this material may not be,! The 1990s, Kentucky has been bethany Hall, 37, of Stanville ; outstanding warrant crimes linkedto the remain... Averagednearly a death a day could n't pay the Prietos Prietoassociate would the... In 2008 and headed to college, earning a master 's degree in..