PAINTSVILLE ­ Nine Johnson County residents have been arrested following an undercover drug investigation conducted by Operation UNITE.

Police are asking the public's help in locating four additional suspects, who are either deliberately avoiding apprehension or have moved to a new residence.

The arrests began in mid-August after indictments were returned a Johnson County Grand Jury.

“We purchased Hydrocodone and Morphine from these suspects during our investigation, which spanned approximately five months,” said Dan Smoot, law enforcement director for UNITE.

Most of the arrests took place during the first seven days of September, with assistance of officers from the Paintsville Police Department, Johnson County Sheriff¹s Office and Kentucky State Police.

While many of the suspects were located without difficulty, four have avoided apprehension:

- Loucinda Hall, age 40, last known living in East Point, wanted for first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, four counts second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, and four counts trafficking in marijuana.

- Wendal LeMaster, age 28, last known living on KY 1559 in Stambaugh, wanted for first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

- Patrick Osborne, age 43, last known living on Frank Street in Paintsville, wanted for first-degree possession of a controlled substance, second-degree possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, and second-degree persistent felony offender.

- Glenn Staniford, age 27, last known living on U.S. 23 in Lowmansville, wanted for second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

“Anyone who knows where these individuals may be are encouraged to call the UNITE Drug Tip Line at 1-866-908-6483,” Smoot said, noting that callers may remain anonymous.

Those who have already been arrested and processed through the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center are:

- Jerry R. Allen, age 55, Airport Drive, Hagerhill, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

- Larry Blackburn, age 56, Bear Hollow, East Point, second-degree complicity to trafficking in a controlled substance.

- Crystal Scott Chaffins, age 26, Main Street, Paintsville, trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school.

- David Michael Chaffins, age 25, Main Street, Paintsville, complicity to trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school.

- Samantha Hodge, age 22, Jefferson Avenue, Paintsville, second-degree complicity to trafficking in a controlled substance.

- Brittany Hurt, age 20, Williams Branch, Wittensville, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

- Thurman Meade, age 32, Dogwood Fork, Wittensville, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

- Lavon Pennington, age 41, Patterson Creek, Flatgap, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

- Cheryl Vanhoose, age 29, Sixth Street, Paintsville, three counts second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and two counts endangering the welfare of a minor.

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