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Dozens arrested in drug bust 27 sought, 19 nabbed in Pike BY MARY MUSIC STAFF WRITER Police sent a harsh message yesterday to people suspected of illegally selling prescription pills. The officers arrested dozens during a drug bust that targeted residents in Rockhouse, Hellier and Lookout. The arrests stemmed from a five-month UNITE investigation in which undercover officers purchased quantities of drugs from the suspects. The drug purchases included the sale of OxyContin, Oxycodone, Hydrocodone and other controlled substances. The area targeted yesterday has had a “pretty rampant” drug problem for years, Pike County Sheriff Charles “Fuzzy” Keesee said. Officers with UNITE, the Pike County Sheriff’s Department, Kentucky State Police, Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement, Pikeville Police Department, Department of Probation and Parole and Kentucky Bureau of Investigations worked side-by-side to bring in 22 suspected drug dealers and five people wanted by the Pike County Sheriff’s Department. The 19 people taken into custody as of yesterday afternoon were between the ages of 21 and 71 years old. The suspects were booked into custody at the Marrowbone Volunteer Fire Department, where Pike County deputy jailers picked them up and transported them to the Pike County Detention Center. Police officers set up a road block and checked vehicles driving by the fire department while inmates waited for transport. Dan Smoot, UNITE’s Law Enforcement Director, informed passing drivers about the arrests and he provided them with contact information for UNITE. The arrests in Pike County yesterday came about a month after UNITE worked with police officials in another drug roundup that brought in 16 suspected drug traffickers. Since that time, one drug dealer, Avery Newsome, 32, has pleaded guilty. The other arrested last month pleaded not guilty and they are still awaiting trial. The 19 people who were arrested as of yesterday afternoon include: Josh Adams, 29, of Pikeville; first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school and persistent felony offender. Charles R. Bowling, 46, Lookout, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. Crystal Bowling, 35, Lookout, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and two counts second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. Dell Bowling, 51, Lookout, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. John J. Clevenger II, 31, Rockhouse, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. Danny D. Fleming, 56, Lookout, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. Bandon Holbrooks, 21, Lookout, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, persistent felony offender. Edith M. Holbrooks, 33, Rockhouse, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. Bertha Little, 45, Lookout, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. Billy R. Little, 71, Hellier, two counts second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, one count third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and persistent felony offender. Roger D. Little, 46, Lookout, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and persistent felony offender. Eddie D. Newsome, 58, Hellier, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. Harold Price, 71, Hellier, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. John D. “Buck” Williams, 42, Hellier, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. Tommy D. Williams, 37, Hellier, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. This month, UNITE officers also conducted drug roundups in Rowan, Laurel, Owsley and Leslie counties. To report suspected drug trafficking, call UNITE’s drug tip line at 1-866-424-4382. For information about substance abuse treatment, call 1-866-908-6483.
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