NEWS RELEASE

Appalachia HIDTA Gateway Area Drug Task Force, the Boyle County Sheriff’s Office and the Greater Hardin County Narcotics Task Force concluded a two-week joint operation that resulted in the arrest of three individuals in Danville on May 29.

During the course of the investigation, the following narcotics were seized: More than 4.5 pounds of suspected crystal methamphetamine, 250 suspected fentanyl pills, 52 grams of suspected fentanyl, 461 grams of marijuana, 32 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 95 gabapentin and 22 diazepam.

Evidence from the investigation indicated many of these narcotics were bound from Hardin County to Boyle, Clark, Montgomery and Bath counties.

John Robert Tillman of Danville, Paul H. Martin III of Vine Grove and Elissa Damron of Vine Grove were arrested and charged with the following:

• Trafficking in a Controlled Substance 1st Degree more than 2 grams. (Crystal Methamphetamine) 2 counts.

• Trafficking in a Controlled Substance 1st Offense (Carfentanil or Fentanyl Derivatives) 2 counts.

K9 Bruno of the Boyle County Sheriff’s Office was also utilized during the investigation.

One of the goals of the AHIDTA Task Force is to identify Drug Trafficking Organizations and mid/upper-level suppliers of these dangerous substances. More charges and arrests are expected in this investigation.

The Appalachia HIDTA mission is to enhance and coordinate drug enforcement efforts of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies within areas designated as High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas by pursuing the disruption/dismantlement of Drug Trafficking Organizations, particularly as it relates to the specific drug threat of the Appalachian region.

The Appalachia HIDTA Gateway Area Drug Task Force is comprised of detectives from the Kentucky State Police, Mount Sterling Police Department, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Winchester Police Department and Special Agents with the ATF.