Three from Knox part of large drug roundup

Three Knox County residents were arrested in a drug roundup by the Laurel County Drug Interdiction Task Force, which is made up of the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, London City Police and Appalachia HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area). Roundup, with assistance from Kentucky State Police, apprehended 17 individuals following a months-long investigation into illegal drug trafficking, with charges ranging from trafficking meth, trafficking Fentanyl, possession of meth, and possession of hydrocodone. More arrests are expected.

The three from Knox County arrested included: 

•  Daniel Hatfield age 46 of KY 233, Gray, KY charged with trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – methamphetamine; possession of a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – methamphetamine; possession of a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – hydrocodone; possession of a controlled substance – second-degree; 

•  Donna Bays age 51 of Powers Branch Rd., Bryant’s Store, KY charged with conspiracy to traffick in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – methamphetamine ; possession of drug paraphernalia; and

•  Andrew LaRose age 40 of Highway 3440, Barbourville, KY charged with possession of a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense.

Others arrested from the surrounding area included:

Judy Collins, 63 of London, Teddy Kirby, 56 of London, Ricky Turner, 31 of London, Erica Mullis, 34 of Corbin, Crystal Watkins, 36 of East Bernstadt, Charles Wayne Asher, 45 of East Bernstadt, Robert Farra, 43 of Annville, Chasity Brock, 40 of London, Tommy Ooten, 46 of London, Brittany Yaden, 36 of London, Larry Wayne Turner, 38 of Rockholds, Matthew Dean Becknell, 33 of London, Kelly Dawn Smith, 52 of London, and David Collins, 49 of Manchester.

The task force has outstanding warrants and are searching for the following individuals connected to this drug roundup:

•  Joshua Gambrel age 36 of KY 770, London on charges of attempted trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – methamphetamine.

•  Brian Hubbard age 60 of Ravenwood Cir., London on charges of trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – methamphetamine; trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – oxycodone.

•  Ashley Mosley age 37 of VanZant Road, Lily on charges of conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – methamphetamine.

•  Chelsea Cawood Graham age 34 of Mount Zion Rd., London on charges of trafficking in a controlled substance – first offense – fentanyl.

•  Donnie Messer age 60 of Sinking Creek Rd., London on charges of trafficking in a controlled substance – first first-degree – first offense – methamphetamine.

•  Tim Miller age 53 of Highway 1232, London on charges of trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – methamphetamine.

The individuals arrested were lodged in area detention centers. The Task Force has the full cooperation of Laurel County Attorney Jodi Albright and Commonwealth’s Attorney Jackie Steele in their efforts to eradicate drugs from the area. The investigation is ongoing.