JACKSON – Two dozen individuals who have been trafficking prescription pills in the Breathitt County area were targeted for arrest Wednesday, January 5, by Operation UNITE.

During an investigation that spanned six months, UNITE detectives along with officers from the Jackson Police Department purchased a variety of pills, primarily Percocet, OxyContin and Lortab.

“The Jackson Police Department played a very active role throughout this investigation,” said Dan Smoot, law enforcement director for UNITE. “Chief Jeff Noble and officers from his department were invaluable in identifying suspects and helping make undercover buys.”

Through November, Breathitt County citizens had made 816 calls to UNITE’s drug tipline (1-866-424-4382) – the eighth most among the 29 counties in Kentucky’s Fifth Congressional District.

“Approximately half of the individuals we’re seeking to arrest in this roundup were identified because of concerned citizens being willing to report suspicious behavior,” Smoot noted. “In many instances information we receive from the public makes the difference in whether we’re able to get these dealers off the street.”

While an arrest gives some people the motivation to turn their lives around, some people never seem to learn, Smoot said. “One-third of those wanted in this latest roundup have previously been arrested by UNITE for drug trafficking.”

Assisting with Wednesday’s roundup were troopers from the Kentucky State Police.

As of early afternoon police had located and charged 13 individuals. All were lodged in Three Forks Regional Jail in Beattyville.

• Ann Barrett, age 36, Jackson, served in jail, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, second offense, and second-degree persistent felony offender.

• Stephanie Jean Combs, age 35, Old Quicksand Road, Jackson, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Larry Davidson, age 51, Airport Road, Jackson, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and one count second-degree persistent felony offender.

• Jacob Henson Jr., age 45, Stamper Drive, Jackson, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and second-degree persistent felony offender.

• French Howard, age 34, Highway 541, Jackson, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Sheila Jimenez (aka Kay Hensley), age 53, Railroad Street, Jackson, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Adam Morris, age 24, Jackson, served in jail, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and first-degree persistent felony offender.

• Cynthia Morris, age 45, Ivy Court Drive, Jackson, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• James D. Napier, age 43, Sycamore Street, Jackson, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, second offense, and first-degree persistent felony offender.

• Bert Noble, age 48, Highway 15 South, Jackson, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Toby Noble, age 32, Highway 315, Booneville, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, second offense, and second-degree persistent felony offender.

• Sarah F. Robinson, age 54, Sewell Street, Jackson, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, second offense.

• Sam Wilson Jr., age 45, Town View Apartments, Broadway, Jackson, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

Those suspects not located during Wednesday morning’s roundup will continue to be sought by UNITE detectives and officers from the Jackson Police Department.