In Aug. 21-27 issue
By Derek Aaron
Times Journal Reporter

RUSSELL SPRINGS - A criminal investigation into drug trafficking and bootlegging last weekend led to the arrest of six men, according to Russell County Sheriff's Deputy Tim Pierce.

Arrests ranged from the illegal sale of alcoholic beverages in a dry territory, criminal attempt to traffic in cocaine, trafficking in marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Pierce, Deputy Lee Smith and Kentucky State Police K-9 Officer Martin Wesley were all involved in the arrests at Whittle's Trailer Park on Cleveland Rd. last Saturday night.

Pierce said the sheriff's department had been “covered up” with complaints about two mobile homes in the park.

Pierce said 33 cases of beer, 24 grams of marijuana, 29 grams of suspected cocaine and more than $2,800 cash was confiscated during the arrests.

Police reports from the Russell County Sheriff's Office show that Dunnville resident James L. Shearer, 33, was charged with criminal attempt to traffic in cocaine, a class D felony; Martin L. Ramirez, 24, of Russell Springs, was charged with the illegal sale of alcoholic beverages in a dry territory; Jonas Alvaro Diaz, 45, Miguel Gonzalez, 29, Cesar Ara Ico, 24, and Juan S. Lopez, 22, were each charged with trafficking in marijuana, the illegal sale of alcoholic beverages in a dry territory and possession of drug paraphernalia.

After numerous tips and complaints about the alleged wrongdoing as well as an ongoing investigation, Pierce, Smith, Wesley and Klaus had enough to go forth with.

Pierce lauded Trooper Wesley's canine for helping to locate what was suspected to be cocaine and marijuana in the mobile home.

“That is by far the best dog I've ever seen,” Pierce said of Klaus, who has been on the job for two months. He said some of the drugs were located by him and the other officers but that the dog was able to find the majority of the substances.

According to the police report, the cocaine was sent to KSP lab for more accurate testing.

He said the more agencies work together, like the sheriff's departments and the KSP did in this case, and the more tips and complaints that are given, the easier it is for investigations like this to be a success.

Pierce said all six men were taken to the Russell County Jail following their arrest.