The Laurel County Sheriff said if anyone brings drugs into the county they will find them.

The sheriff's office teamed up with Kentucky State Police, U.S. marshals, along with the London and Corbin Police Departments to put more alleged drug dealers behind bars.

“Operation Spring Sting" began in January and so far, police have made nearly 60 arrests.

A dozen people were picked up Thursday, Apr. 5 after a three month long investigation into illegal drug activity in Laurel County.

“Roxicets were being sold here, Cxy Contin and methamphetamine are the primary ones that we are seeing,” said Dep. Gilbert Acciardo of the Laurel County Sheriff's Office.
“To date including today we have had 58 arrests.”

Those involved face several class d felony charges, including trafficking in a controlled substance first degree, trafficking in a controlled substance second degree and various felony charges.
“We had one who was trafficking marijuana under eight ounces,” said Acciardo.

Acciardo said taking away their means of transportation is one way of getting drug dealers off of the street. Police picked up two cars at the last round up and say they are confident there are more arrests to come.

“That is where you really hurt them, when you take away their property, when you take away their vehicles and their houses and their cash, we can also do the same with that,” said Acciardo.

Officials said they will not stop fighting the drug epidemic.

“If you come in try to sell drugs in Laurel County, we are going to aggressively investigate that and we are going to arrest you,” said Acciardo.

Acciardo said he is confident if any individuals are able to get lighter sentences under House Bill 463 they will be returned back behind bars if they continue selling or distributing drugs. H.B. 463 which took affect in July of 2011 aims to keep violent offenders behind bars

Those arrested on Thursday, Apr. 5, include Robert Neal Masters of Sycamore Street in Wiiliamsburg, Kevin and Ruby Lawson of Sibert Lane in London, Jeremiah Moore of Seeley Road in, Jason Moore of Seeley Road in London, Raymond Bullis of Parkhill Road in Corbin, Shawna Moore of North KY 830 in Corbin, Jimmy Gilbert of Palmer Street in Corbin, Tammy Creech of Rudder Street in London, Ronnie Ratliff of Slate Lick Road in London, Casey Brock Park Street in Corbin and Elizabeth Lowe of Park Street in Corbin.

Police said they are also searching for eight more people. Those include David Robinson, Dudley Wagers, Brandon Smith, Mark Alexander, Johanna Mccormick, James Schueler, Cora Collinsworth and Christopher Smallwood.