Harlan County Jailer Curt Stallard says his jail guards noticed the smell of someone smoking pot. Police investigated, and say they soon discovered seven inmates were involved in an alleged organized drug trade.

Police say it was at the Harlan County Detention Center last Tuesday, August 25th, where Joshua Mendoza was booked on an assault charge. They say the 26 year old hid a bag of pot inside a body cavity, and snuck it into the jail.

"This is one of those rare instances where Mr. Mendoza was able to go in there and take this contraband," says Evarts Police Chief Lupe Blas.

Police say Mendoza then recruited other inmates to help sell the marijuana inside the jail. A total of seven inmates are charged with engaging in organized crime and promoting contraband: Joshua Mendoza, 26, of Cumberland; John Jenkins, 24, of Cawood; Brandon J. Brock, 24, of Lynch; Beau Benson, 25, of Wallins; Jeremiah Bustle, 24, of Loyall; Joshua Neice, 22, of Ermine; and Donald Hensley, 31, of Baxter.

Police say without cash, the men were using a credit system as payments for the drug.

"Names were kept on a list of people who had bought the drugs on credit," says Blas.

All the suspects are now being held in isolation cells at the jail for 45 days. They are denied many jail privileges, such as getting visitors. Therefore, WYMT was not able to talk with any of the suspects to give them a chance to talk about their charges.

The Evarts police chief says this is an example of just how bad the drug problem has become.

"Just imagine if this can be done in our detention center, well, outside in our streets, it's much worse," says Blas.

All seven suspects are in isolation at the jail for 45 days, each under a $100,000 cash bond.

The Harlan County Jailer says inmates booked on drug charges are usually cavity searched, but Joshua Mendoza was brought in on an assault charge and not suspected.