Somerset —

Local, regional and state law enforcement officials came together in a multi-pronged effort that resulted in nearly 20 drug arrests early Tuesday in a “roundup” at locations across Pulaski County. “Everybody’s got a contribution to this thing,” said Lt. Shannon Smith, with the Somerset Police Department, on Tuesday evening. “ ... We’re all working toward the same goal, which is to make Somerset drug-free.” More than three dozen people gathered early Tuesday morning at the Somerset Police Department to begin preparations for a 40-person roundup — the result of months of investigations on the part of both SPD and Operation UNITE officers. UNITE undercover officers work alongside SPD officers and other law enforcement officials in the area to stop drug trafficking through undercover buys and confidential informants. “Everyone in this room plays an important role in the fight against substance abuse,” said UNITE Law Enforcement Director Dan Smoot. “It’s not just about law enforcement, but about how drugs negatively impact the lives of every citizen in Somerset and Pulaski County.” Along with SPD and UNITE, Kentucky State Police, Somerset Fire Department — on hand to aid in cleanup efforts should a methamphetamine lab be found during the roundup — and the Kentucky Army National Guard’s Demand Reduction unit attended the briefing Tuesday. Representatives with the Pulaski Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office, City of Somerset Attorney Carrie Dixon-Weise, Pulaski County Jailer Mike Harris, Chief Larry D. Wesley with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department and members of the UNITE coalition were also in attendance. The teams headed out at around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, and officers swept through locations in Eubank all the way down to Tateville with 38 Pulaski County District Court warrants in hand. Most of the drugs purchased during the UNITE investigations included Percocet, OxyContin, Oxycodone and Hydrocodone pills, although several cases involved methamphetamine and marijuana, Smoot noted. According to information provided by UNITE, 14 of the 18 individuals wanted by UNITE had been located as of 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. Somerset Police had arrested or been in contact with three of the 20 suspects on their list. Smith said many of those suspects wanted by his department were found to not reside at those addresses listed in the warrants. Smith explained that uniformed SPD officers often run into drugs and drug-related activity during routine traffic stops and radio calls for separate complaints. When that happens, he said a suspect will often move from location to location in an effort to evade a drug arrest. “There’s no question these people know that they’re caught,” Smith said. On the other side of the investigation comes the plain-clothes detective or the undercover narcotics officer — usually affiliated with an organization such as UNITE. Often times suspects are unaware that they’re dealing with an officer, which can result in a higher number of contacts and arrests during a roundup like Tuesday’s. “These people are skilled and talented at what they do, just like our patrol officers are,” Smith said, noting that a roundup is a “multi-pronged” effort requiring officers in nearly every level of law enforcement to contribute. A total of 19 people were charged during the roundup. Those suspects wanted by UNITE who were arrested Tuesday include: • Von V. Burdine, 60, James Street, Somerset, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. • Carl R. Creech, 51, Economy Inn, Somerset, two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school. • James Aaron Eldridge, 22, Singleton Cemetery Road, Eubank, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. • Bobby J. Hall, 54, James Street, Somerset, two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school and one count of trafficking in a simulated controlled substance. • Linda M. Hasty, 45, Danny Drive, Burnside, three counts of second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. • Johnny D. Hensley, 28, Woodland Trails, Somerset, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school. That arrest warrant was served at the McCreary County Jail. • Amy L. Jacob, 35, Bourne Avenue, Somerset, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. • Eric Shane Langdon, 33, East Sloans Valley Road, Tateville, two counts each of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. That arrest warrant is slated to be served at the East Kentucky Correctional Complex. • Kimberly L. Langdon, 30, East Sloans Valley Road, Tateville, two counts of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and one count of second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. • Christopher L. Lemmon, 38, McKee Lane, Burnside, two counts of second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. • James Robert Phelps, 61, Lookout Street, Somerset, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. • Robert J. Phelps, 29, S. Ky. 837, Nancy, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. That warrant was served at the Pulaski County Detention Center. • William P. Whitis, 62, Brandon Street, Ferguson, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. • An 18-year-old South Main Street Somerset man who was a juvenile at the time of the offense will be served through the courts on three counts of trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school. SPD also arrested three people on additional charges during the roundup: • Gary Cook, 36, was arrested Tuesday after officers reportedly discovered he was a fugitive from Florida while staying at the Economy Inn on Monticello Street. He was wanted by the Broward County Sheriff's Office for possession of Oxycodone, according to SPD. Cook will appear in Pulaski District Court before being extradited back to Florida. • Mary Miller, 41, was also arrested at the Economy Inn. She was allegedly found to have a quantity of pills in her possession and a small amount of cash. She was arrested and charged with third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. • Darlene Meadows, 46, was charged after officers allegedly found drugs in a residence on W. Ky. 80 near Nancy. She was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal possession of a legend drug, prescription controlled substance not in proper container, and possession of marijuana. Officers are continuing their search for the remaining suspects, and more arrests are expected.