A Kentucky State Police initiative dubbed Operation Summer Heat resulted in over 200 arrests and the seizure of nearly 11 pounds of methamphetamine and 20 ounces of fentanyl.
All 16 KSP posts participated in Operation Summer Heat, a three-month, state-wide drug investigation which yielded 206 arrests on 490 charges.
KSP Post 4 in Elizabethtown made the second highest number of arrests during the operation with 22. Post 15 in Columbia posted the highest number of collars at 36 collars.
During the investigation, and in addition to the methamphetamine and fentanyl powder, KSP seized 7.8 ounces of cocaine (219 grams), 1.5 ounces of heroin (41 grams), 1.4 ounces of spice (40 grams), 2,931 fentanyl pills, 50 hydrocodone pills, 64 oxycodone pills, 90 hallucinogens, and 14 firearms.
The street value of the seized drugs is approximately $684,953, the governor’s office said. Additionally, $37,159 in cash, $10,000 in stolen tools and one stolen vehicle were recovered during the operation. The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are anticipated.
Number of arrests by each state police post:
Post 1 — Mayfield: 9
Post 2 — Madisonville: 20
Post 3 — Bowling Green: 6
Post 4 — Elizabethtown: 22
Post 5 — Campbellsburg: 1
Post 6 — Dry Ridge: 8
Post 7 — Richmond: 7
Post 8 — Morehead: 12
Post 9 — Pikeville: 37
Post 10 — Harlan: 3
Post 11 — London: 9
Post 12 — Frankfort: 1
Post 13 — Hazard: 18
Post 14 — Ashland: 9
Post 15 — Columbia: 36
Post 16 — Henderson: 8
Thursday’s announcement follows last month’s release of the 2023 Kentucky Drug Overdose Fatality Report, which showed that the commonwealth saw a nearly 10 percent decrease in drug overdose deaths last year; the second straight year fatal drug overdoses fell.
Treatment Resources
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, the KY HELP Call Center can connect you to treatment by calling 833-8KY-HELP (833-859-4357). Findhelpnowky.org can also provide information about treatment programs near you.
Visit the KSP website to find a post where those suffering from addiction can be paired with a local officer who will assist with locating an appropriate treatment program through KSP’s Angel Initiative.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
