An Owensboro Drug Trafficking Organization is behind bars and charged with multiple felonies after being caught with 151 pounds of methamphetamine, 3.5 pounds of counterfeit pills with suspected fentanyl, and other drugs, U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman announced on Tuesday.
Coleman said based on the evidence obtained from a long-term investigation and the execution of multiple search warrants, federal authorities arrested Willie Watkins, 30, Christopher McNary, 31, Richard Cason, 29, Keith Watkins, 28, and Samuel White, 27, all of Owensboro.
According to the criminal complaints, between January 6, 2021, and January 11, 2021, Watkins coordinated the purchase of approximately 150 pounds of methamphetamine with an unidentified male, located in Los Angeles, California, and counterfeit pills containing suspected fentanyl from a source in Phoenix, Arizona.
Furthermore, Coleman said on January 11, 2021, the DEA and local law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by another suspected member of the Watkins drug trafficking organization in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, as the vehicle traveled from Arizona to Kentucky.
During a search of the vehicle, law enforcement recovered 151 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, 3.5 pounds of counterfeit pharmaceutical pills suspected of containing fentanyl, 21 pounds of marijuana, nine pounds of THC edibles, 14 pounds of THC related vape products, and one gram of ecstasy.
Following the seizure of the narcotics in Oklahoma City, Watkins and the other four suspects were charged in a criminal complaint with conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, and 400 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl.
Additionally, according to the criminal complaints, on January 13, 2021, federal and local law enforcement executed multiple search warrants at locations associated with the Watkins drug trafficking organization in Owensboro.
As a result of those search warrants, law enforcement seized additional methamphetamine, counterfeit pills containing suspected fentanyl, marijuana, firearms, and over $325,000 in cash.
All five suspect face up to life in prison if convicted.
Daviess County Sheriff Keith Cain said about the arrests, “This investigation is yet another example of the strong relationship that exists between local law enforcement and our federal partners. Both are equally committed to ridding our community of the scourge of organized drug trafficking and keeping our citizens safe.”
(Photo: Willie Watkins)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
