Major drug investigation in Owensboro

OWENSBORO, Kentucky – After a year-and-a-half-long investigation by the Owensboro Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration and other agencies, 37 people are facing charges in a sweeping drug operation.

Michael Gannon, DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge, said: “We have executed over 25 search warrants to bring an end to this organization.”

According to the DEA, the charges include methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine trafficking violations, as well as firearms offenses.

JD Winkler, deputy chief of the Owensboro Police Department, said, “During the operation, detectives identified several individuals who were engaging in large-scale drug trafficking in the city of Owensboro, outside of the city in Daviess County, and in the areas surrounding Daviess County.”

Investigators said the drugs were coming from Louisville and even California. After further investigation, authorities were able to track down the source and seize a shipment of drugs.

Winkler said, “The shipment was intercepted and resulted in the seizure of over 250 pounds of methamphetamine and over 25 pounds of cocaine.”

This shipment was initially destined for Western Kentucky.

Winkler added, “Part of this seizure was intended for Daviess County. However, it is very likely that the entire seizure was intended to be distributed throughout western Kentucky and southern Indiana.”

According to the Justice Department, of the 37 defendants, more than 30 were from Kentucky and nearly half were from Owensboro. If convicted, the defendants face 10 years to life in prison.

Owensboro police and several federal agencies will continue the investigation.

Winkler said: “We will stay in the game and continue to dismantle the organizations from top to bottom.”

31 of the 37 defendants have been arrested or are in custody. 26 defendants have already been brought to trial.

A federal district judge sets the sentence after considering sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.