EKB News

A close to six month investigation came to an end on the morning of Monday November 20, as officers with operation UNIITE and several local law enforcement agencies headed out shortly after 7 o’clock to serve warrants on numerous suspected drug dealers.
“UNITE in the big sandy region was looking for a total 22 individuals…in Pike, Floyd, Martin Magoffin Lawrence and Rowen Counties” according to Paul Hayes, deputy director of law enforcement for UNITE who went on to detail the focus of this latest round of investigations.
“We were focusing on picking up those individuals who were dealing in prescription drugs. Many of these prescription drugs are coming from sources within the state, but we also believe that many of these are coming from sources outside the state.”
Hayes was cited as saying that as of around 3 o’clock Monday afternoon they had apprehended 8 of the suspects wanted in yesterday's roundup.
Hayes also stated that individuals who know that there are warrants out for the arrest are urged to cooperate and turn themselves into their local authorities. Once warrants have been served those individuals will enter the court system and often times are offered diverted sentences in exchange for cooperation with other UNITE investigations as well as a commitment to seek treatment for their addiction.
Unite officials have stated that one of their most valued resources is the public, who helps to phone in complaints on people they suspect might be dealing drugs.
“We’re very thankful that we have a lot of individuals within the big sandy region who are providing us information through our tip line complaint source” Hayes said going on to detail UNITE’s thanks for the public support they have received “We are trying to act on every one of those tip line complaints and we really appreciate the support of the community in helping us to do something about this problem.”
Suspects apprehended in today’s roundup only stand accused of committing the crimes alleged and are considered innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law.