Round-up nets 35 drug arrests

HUNTSVILLE — By the time the Scott County Sheriff’s Department concluded a multi-day round-up last week, some 35 persons had been picked up, with the Sheriff’s Department seeking the public’s help on finding 10 more persons wanted as the result of a lengthy undercover drug operation.

In addition, two persons were arrested on separate charges, connected to an alleged methamphetamine lab, during the course of the round-up (see related story, page A3 of this week's print edition).

The drug sting resulted in a number of indictments being returned by a Scott County grand jury in early July. Those indictments remained sealed until the massive round-up was organized and put into motion at around 3 a.m. on July 27. Deputies worked through the night and much of the following day to complete the round-up.

Sheriff Anthony Lay credited his department’s narcotics division for its work with the under-cover drug operation.

“[We] have worked the past months extremely hard to buy illegal drugs off a group of people in our community who have been reported [to be] selling illegal drugs,” Lay said. “Citizens are sick of this drug-selling activity in their communities and they are keeping a close eye on those who are selling and using drugs. I put their names on a list and we investigate them.”

The under-cover drug operation and subsequent round-up, which was one of several conducted by local law enforcement agencies over the past two years, is part of an on-going effort that will not cease, Lay said.

“As long as I’m sheriff I’m going to hammer every drug dealer and user I can,” he said. “We need to get as many as we can off the street because they contribute to a large number of thefts and violent crimes against persons and property.”

In addition to the arrests, officers seized 10 vehicles allegedly being used to transport drugs.

Among those arrested were:

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