PRESTONSBURG – A months-long undercover investigation into drug trafficking in the Wheelwright community of Floyd County has led to the arrest of five individuals.
The investigation, a combined effort by Operation UNITE and the Kentucky Attorney General’s Department of Criminal Investigation, centered around illegal trafficking in a variety of prescription narcotics.
On Wednesday afternoon, August 6, law enforcement officers from four departments went to the residence of 57-year-old Russell Johnson on Route 306 in Wheelwright to serve a seven-count arrest warrant. Officers located Johnson across the street at Russell’s Game Room, a small store and amusement center that he operates.
After Johnson’s arrest a search was conducted at both his home and store. More than 300 prescription pills – a variety of controlled substances including Oxycodone, Methadone, Hydrocodone, Alprazlam and Diazepam – and approximately $1,900 in cash was discovered in the store.
While in the area, police set up a traffic checkpoint along Route 306. As a result, two individuals also wanted in conjunction with the investigation were located and arrested.
Two other suspects from the investigation were spotted at a nearby residence and were also arrested.
Participating in Wednesday’s operation were officers from UNITE, Department of Criminal Investigation, Wheelwright Police Department, and Floyd County Sheriff’s Office.
Those arrested and lodged in the Floyd County Detention Center were:
• Russell Johnson, age 57, of Highway 306, Wheelwright, four counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, two counts second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, and one count third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Tammy Johnson, age 30, of Highway 306, Wheelwright, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Arlie Miller Jr., age 57, of Highway 306, Wheelwright, two counts second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• Mark Randall Smith, age 40, of Highway 306, Wheelwright, three counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, one count second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
• A.W. Stanley Jr., age 38, of Branham Heights, Wheelwright, one count second-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)
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