Drug Task Force Sweep Nets Seven In Bourbon County
Pat Conley |Citizen staff
PARIS, Ky (July 1, 2020)—Months of interagency investigation and planning helped take seven suspected drug dealers out of circulation in Bourbon County last week.
According to Bluegrass Narcotics Task Force Director Mark Burden, a well-coordinated operation last Wednesday morning resulted in the arrest of the following suspects:
• Laura Brown, 49 year-old female, Trafficking Controlled Substance 1st (2nd offense)
• Matthew Campbell, 38 year-old male, Trafficking Controlled Substance 1st
• Donnie Caskey, Sr., 55 year-old male, Trafficking Controlled Substance 1st
• Larry Davis, 33 year-old male, Trafficking Controlled Substance 1st
• Tracy George, 57-year-old female, Trafficking Controlled Substance 1st
• Ronnie Ritchie, 47-year-old male, Trafficking Controlled Substance 1st
• Melissa Rivera, 48-year-old female, Trafficking Controlled Substance 1st
All the above are from Paris and Bourbon County, and all were lodged in the Bourbon County Detention Center. According to Burden, who is a detective with the
Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, a variety of drugs was involved, including crack cocaine, methamphetamines, fentanyl, and prescription narcotics. Burden praised the professionalism of all law enforcement personnel involved in the sweep, especially considering the added risk of operating in the COVID-19 environment.
For Bourbon County Sheriff Tony Asbury, last week’s roundup was his first hands-on participation (as sheriff) with the Task Force. “The interagency coordination was phenomenal,” Asbury said. Asbury said 25 personnel from Paris Police Department, Cynthiana Police Department, Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office, Harrison County Sheriff’s Office and Kentucky State Police combined to complete the operation in a highly efficient and effective manner.
Asbury said he expects additional drug arrest warrants will be issued in the very near future, as a result of the Task Force’s effort.
“Anytime you can remove an element (from the illegal narcotics distribution network), it’s a wonderful day,” Asbury said.
Paris Police Detective and Public Information Officer Earl Hatter issued the following statement: “The eruption of overdoses has caused Paris Police to change the focus of narcotics investigations. The Bluegrass Task Force has found
themselves inundated with cases, as the devastation of heroin laced with fentanyl has reappeared in Bourbon County. I’m confident in the Task Force to continue their impressive diligence, as they have solved several cases, holding those accountable who sell this killer substance.”
Hatter said the Bluegrass Narcotics Task Force understands that a network of drug trafficking exists between Bourbon and Harrison Counties, and Lexington, among
other areas. He urges Bourbon County citizens to contact the Paris Police Department hotline (859.988.1905) at any time to report suspected illegal narcotics activity.
