Four people have been arrested and others are being sought following the return of drug-related indictments by a Jackson County Grand Jury.

The indictments were the result of undercover investigations into illegal trafficking of prescription narcotics conducted by Operation UNITE last year.

Law enforcement officers with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Kentucky State Police and UNITE located four of the suspects between Sunday, March 16 and Thursday, March 20.

Those arrested were:

• John "Bud" Clemons, age 68, of Chestnut Flat Road, McKee, three counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and one count second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Travis K. Farmer, age 24, of Crank Road, Tyner, one count each of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school.

• John Henry McCorkle, age 29, of SR-89 South, McKee, five counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, one count third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, and one count trafficking in marijuana less than 8 ounces.

• Michael R. Potter, age 36, of Jack's Ridge Road, McKee, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, one count second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, and one count third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

For more information about Operation UNITE visit their website at www.operationunite.org .

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In 2003, Fifth District Congressman Harold "Hal" Rogers (R-Somerset) worked to create Operation UNITE, a regional anti-drug initiative empowering citizens groups and community leaders in 29 southern and eastern Kentucky counties. UNITE, which stands for Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment & Education, seeks to fight the drug epidemic by expanding drug awareness and education programs to keep people from using drugs; coordinating drug treatment and outreach programs for those who are already addicted; and operating regional undercover law enforcement task forces for interdiction and prosecution of those dealing drugs. Rogers has directed $36.6 million in federal funds to the counter-drug initiative over the past five years. For more information contact Karen Engle toll-free at 1-866-678-6483.

Drug Tip Hotline - 1-866-424-4382 / Treatment Referral Hotline - 1-866-90-UNITE (1-866-908-6483)