Published: November 05, 2009 12:24 am      

2 arrested in Wurtland drug raid

Wurtland — Two Ohio residents were arrested Tuesday in a drug raid at a residence in Wurtland.

The raid, which occurred at a home in the 900 block of Adams Avenue, was the culmination of a joint investigation by the Raceland and Wurtland police departments.

In addition to a small amount of cocaine and several different types of prescription pills, officers recovered several items that had been taken in thefts in Scioto County.

Rex Kerns, 56, of Lucasville, and Constance Roberts, 51, of Chesapeake, were both arrested and lodged in the Greenup County Detention Center. Kerns was charged with first-degree drug trafficking, cultivating marijuana - more than five plants, possession of drug paraphernalia and illegal possession of legend drugs. Roberts was charged with two counts of illegal possession of a legend drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Legend drugs are non-narcotic prescription drugs. Under Kentucky law, illegally possessing them can be either a felony or a misdemeanor.

The investigation is continuing and additional arrests are expected.

Raceland Police Chief Don Sammons and Wurtland Police Chief Phillip Piercy both said they were thankful for the inter-agency cooperation that made the investigation possible.

“Most people who commit thefts and deal drugs do not restrict themselves to one town, so it is very important for the agencies to work together,” Piercy said.

Both chiefs also said the investigation showed the importance of recording the serial numbers on one’s valuables to make it easier for police to return them to their rightful owners.

Officers with the FIVCO Area Drug Enforcement (FADE) Task Force also participated in Tuesday’s raid.

KENNETH HART can be reached at khart@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2654.