EKB News

Over the past few days, every State Police post in eastern Kentucky has worked hard to combat interstate pill smuggling, but UNITE officials say Friday they conducted a bust like none other they have ever dealt with. An undercover officer went to the home of 57 year old Paul A. Prosperino on Walnut Street in Hazard. After he made a buy, Prosperino, a former professor at Hazard Community and Technical College, was arrested. But, what makes the bust unique is the source from where the pills came. UNITE officials say some came from within the U.S., but others were shipped in from India, stamped with "customs approval.". More than 2,000 pills, Methadone and Alprazolam (Xanax) , more than $2,000 in cash and 30 handguns were seized. UNITE says the case will be sent to the Perry County grand jury, but the investigation is far from over.