Each of these meth labs were cleaned up by detectives from Operation UNITE.

The flurry of activity began about 8 p.m. Sunday, March 18, in Rockcastle County when sheriff’s deputies discovered an active lab at the home of 44-year-old Stevie Spoonamore on Brindle Ridge Road in the Brodhead community.

Spoonamore and 30-year-old Michael Hopkins of Lancaster were each charged with manufacturing methamphetamine by the Rockcastle County Sheriff’s Office.

On Monday, the Monticello Police Department was investigating a report of a man passed out at a home on Ridgewood Avenue about 10 a.m. and discovered he had two active one-step meth labs in his jacket pockets.

The chemical reaction occurring inside one of these containers caused a brief fire as detectives were attempting to neutralize the lab.

Baron Alexander, 41, of Cave City, was charged with manufacturing methamphetamine along with several outstanding arrest warrants.

Four separate instances of inactive meth labs being found along highways in Wayne County were also handled Monday. An inactive lab was found along a roadway in Rockcastle County on Tuesday.

Late Tuesday evening, Monticello Police received information on the possible location of two suspects wanted on manufacturing methamphetamine indictment warrants obtained by UNITE about two months ago.

When the city officers and deputies from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office arrived at a home on North Second Street they discovered 39-year-old Angela Wallace and 35-year-old Joseph Wallace hiding in a closet and spotted materials used to manufacture meth.

After obtaining a search warrant, they located an active one-step meth lab and three other active “smokers” used in the manufacturing process.

The Wallaces, of Monticello, were served with the indictment warrants and were additionally charged with manufacturing methamphetamine by the Monticello Police Department. Additional charges on the couple are pending.

Operation UNITE detectives, working closely with Lee Sheriff Wendell Childers, identified the high concentration of dealers in an area near the Breathitt County line.

“Sheriff Childers has been with UNITE on every case during the past eight months,” said Dan Smoot, deputy director of UNITE. “He is very concerned about the illegal drug trafficking taking place in his county and has facilitated our investigation.”

All but two of the cases involved the illegal sales of Percocet pills obtained from Florida, Smoot said, adding the other case involved the sale of Hydrocodone.

On Wednesday, Feb. 1, law enforcement officers from UNITE, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Beattyville Police Department, Kentucky State Police and the U.S. Marshal’s office set out to serve the arrest warrants.

As of 2:30 p.m. Wednesday 13 of the suspects had been charged. All but one person, who was served at the Perry County Detention Center, were taken to Three Forks Regional Jail after their arrest.

Arrested were:

• Josh Charles Angel, 24, Angel Drive, Beattyville, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Amanda Barker, 31, Coal Branch Road, Beattyville, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Ricky Barker, 32, Coal Branch Road, Beattyville, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Wally Bowman, 38, North Highway 708, Beattyville, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Laura Bryant, 41, Highland Turner Road, Beattyville, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Cathy Cole, 52, South Highway 11, Beattyville, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Brenda Couch, 54, Gilliam Road, Beattyville, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Charles Couch, 56, Gilliam Road, Beattyville, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Paul Moore, North Highway 708, Beattyville, trafficking in a simulated substance.

• Rosemary Noble, 35, West Highway 52, Beattyville, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Bridgett Turner, 48, Decorsey Road, Beattyville, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• John Turner, 29, East Highway 52, Beattyville, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Tina Turner, 29, East Highway 52, Beattyville, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

Police continue to search for the remaining six suspects.

R. Gil Kerlikowske, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), has identified prescription drug abuse as a top priority for public health in the United States.

“Mr. Kerlikowske is very aware of the devastating impacts of prescription drug abuse and diversion,” said Karen Kelly, president/CEO of Operation UNITE (Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment and Education), a Kentucky-based organization coordinating the event. “The Prevention Plan unveiled last year by the ONDCP recognizes the need to take a balanced approach between education, monitoring, proper disposal and enforcement efforts.”

The Summit, which will be held in Florida April 10-12, 2012, is intended to foster better understanding and cooperation between all groups – state and national leaders, law enforcement officials, medical professionals, community advocates, treatment experts, educators, private industry leaders, and others – who are finding success in battling this nationwide epidemic.

“Diversion of prescription medications from their legitimate medical uses impacts every American, not only through the devastating personal toll exacted on individuals and their families, but on an economic level as well,” Kelly stated. “This Summit encourages proactive dialogue with national experts to identify data-driven policies and solutions.”

Prior to his confirmation, Kerlikowske served as deputy director for the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, and was police commissioner of Buffalo, New York. Most of his law enforcement career was served in the St. Petersburg Police Department in Florida.

He was twice elected to be president of the Major Cities Chiefs, which is comprised of the largest city and county law enforcement agencies in the United States and Canada, and was also elected president of the Police Executive Research Forum.

In 2011, Kerlikowske received the American Medical Association’s Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service.

Joining Kerlikowske as a keynote presenter during the Summit will be:

• Dr. Nora D. Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health, one of the nation’s foremost experts on the neurological effects of drug addiction.

• Hon. Joseph T. Rannazzisi, deputy assistant administrator for the Office of Diversion Control in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), an expert in preventing, detecting and investigating the diversion of controlled pharmaceuticals.

“This investigation centered on the Virgie and Regina communities but spread out across the county,” said Dan Smoot, deputy director of UNITE, adding the undercover operation lasted about 9 months.

“We bought a little bit of everything – from powder and crack cocaine to Suboxone and a variety prescription pills in between,” Smoot continued. “Pike County has a huge prescription drug problem, but cocaine is still a very desired drug.”

Assisting UNITE detectives with the arrests were troopers from Kentucky State Police Post 9 and agents from the London DEA field office.

As of 3 p.m. Tuesday 10 of the 18 individuals had been arrested and lodged in the Pike County Detention Center. They are:

• Bobby Bowling, 26, Bowling Fork Road, Elkhorn City, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• William Bowling, 57, Bowling Fork Road, Elkhorn City, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Kevin Hopkins, 46, Greasy Creek Road, Shelbiana, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and persistent felony offender.

• Larry Kendrick, 34, Greasy Creek Road, Shelbiana, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and persistent felony offender.

• Anthony John Puett, 27, Pikeville, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and persistent felony offender.

• James “Jamie” Rowe, 31, First Street, Lookout, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, and persistent felony offender.

• Garia Smith, 38, Virgie High Street, Virgie, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Richard Starghill, 34, Chloe Court, Pikeville, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Steve Tackett, 39, Pikeville, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Vornele Tackett, 66, Dry Branch Road, Virgie, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

Police continue to search for the remaining eight suspects.

Law enforcement officers from five agencies attempted to serve the warrants during a drug roundup conducted Wednesday, December 28.

The charges followed an on-going undercover investigation by Operation UNITE that began in early 2011.

A majority of the cases involved the illegal sale of Hydrocodone, Oxycodone and Suboxone.

Assisting UNITE detectives with the roundup were law enforcement officers from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, McKee Police Department, Two Rivers Drug Task Force and Kentucky State Police.

As of 2:30 p.m. officers had arrested 17 of the suspects and lodged them in the Jackson County Detention Center. They are:

• Ricky Abner, 48, U.S. 421, Sand Gap, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Robert Adkins, 49, Adkinstown Road, McKee, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and persistent felony offender. In addition, Adkins was arrested by the Two Rivers Task Force after a large quantity of pills and cash were found at his residence during the roundup.

• Danny Bowles, 33, Sand Gap, two counts second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Juanita Caldwell, 26, Jackson Valley Apartments, McKee, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school.

• Georgia May Clemons, 55, Clemons Road, Sand Gap, four counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Chester Collett, 66, Doolittle Road, Annville, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Adam Shane Gabbard, 26, Farmer Cemetery Road, McKee, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Jeannie Johnson, 39, U.S. 421, McKee, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• William Kirby, 35, Kirby Road, Sand Gap, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Tommy Lakes, 23, Upper Dry Fork Road, Sand Gap, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Lana Mays, 21, Jackson Valley Apartments, McKee, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and two counts trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school.

• Mark McGeorge, 35, Jackson Valley Apartments, McKee, two counts second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school.

• Bradley Muncy, 32, Jackson Valley Apartments, McKee, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school.

• Judy Robbins, 49, Roberts Court Apartments, McKee, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Jesse William Smith, 19, Jackson Valley Apartments, McKee, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school.

• Tammy Spurlock, 33, Brushy Ridge Road, McKee, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and persistent felony offender.

• Cloyd Young, 50, McKee, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

In addition, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office arrested Micky Doan of Annville on drug-trafficking charges.

Law enforcement officers continue their search for the three remaining suspects.

One of the nation’s experts in preventing, detecting and investigating this diversion will be a keynote presenter at the first National Rx Drug Abuse Summit next April.

Joseph T. Rannazzisi, deputy assistant administrator for the Office of Diversion Control in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), brings a unique perspective to the nation’s fight against substance abuse.

“Mr. Rannazzisi’s experience with the DEA, combined with his background as a pharmacist and lawyer, provides a unique perspective on stopping illegal activity, while at the same time ensuring these drugs continue to be available for legitimate medical needs,” said Karen Kelly, president/CEO of Operation UNITE (Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment and Education), a Kentucky-based organization coordinating the event.

The Summit, which will be held in Florida April 10-12, 2012, is intended to foster better understanding and cooperation between all groups – state and national leaders, law enforcement officials, medical professionals, community advocates, treatment experts, educators, private industry leaders, and others – who are finding success in battling this nationwide epidemic.

“Diversion of prescription medications from their legitimate medical uses impacts every American, not only through the devastating personal toll exacted on individuals and their families, but on an economic level as well,” Kelly stated. “This Summit encourages proactive dialogue with national experts to identify data-driven policies and solutions.”

Rannazzisi is a 25-year career Special Agent who has held supervisory positions over areas such as clandestine labs, dangerous drugs and chemicals, enforcement, and division administration. He was appointed to his current position in 2006.

He is responsible for overseeing and coordinating major pharmaceutical, precursor chemical, clandestine laboratory and synthetic drug investigations; the drafting and promulgating of regulations; establishing drug production quotas; and serves as liaison to the pharmaceutical industry, international governments, state governments, federal agencies and law enforcement agencies.

Joining Rannazzisi as a keynote presenter during the Summit will be Dr. Nora D. Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health, one of the nation’s foremost experts on the neurological effects of drug addiction.

Law enforcement officers from Operation UNITE, the Hazard Police Department, Kentucky State Police and Perry County Sheriff’s Office attempted to locate these suspects in a roundup conducted Monday, December 12.

The arrests follow a six-month investigation conducted by UNITE, the Hazard Police Department and KSP into the trafficking of Oxycodone, Hydrocodone and Methadone.

Several of those sought have previously been arrested by UNITE or other agencies on drug-related offenses.

As of 2 p.m. Monday, 10 of the 14 suspects had been charged and lodged in the Kentucky River Regional Detention Center.

• Rocky Caudill, 45, Mountain Avenue, Hazard, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance second offense.

• Elijah Combs Jr., 58, Brookfield Lane, Hazard, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and second-degree persistent felony offender.

• Elmer Combs, 64, Gregory Branch, Hazard, four counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance second offense.

• Gregory Combs, 44, Town Mountain, Hazard, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Shirley Combs, 44, Mountain Avenue, Hazard, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Fallon Hall, 29, Highway 15, Vicco, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Romano Hensley, 50, Bulan Hiner Road, Bulan, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and second-degree persistent felony offender.

• Elijah Walker, 46, Justice Drive, Hazard, three counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Johnny Williams, 33, Right Fork Rome Napier Branch, Hazard, three counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Willie Williams, 22, Right Fork Rome Napier Branch, Hazard, three counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

Police are continuing their attempt to locate and arrest the remaining four suspects.

The Summit will take place April 10-12 in Florida, the heart of a prescription pill pipeline responsible for bringing approximately 60 percent of diverted drugs into the Central Appalachian region. The event will convene public and private stakeholders from across the country in sessions that highlight prevention, education, treatment and law enforcement efforts in addressing the prescription drug epidemic.

“The abuse of prescription medications has a far reaching impact on Appalachia,” stated ARC Federal Co-Chair Earl F. Gohl. “It devastates families, creates burdens for communities, and undermines the employability of the workforce.”

“ARC strongly supports Operation UNITE’s initiative to build interstate partnerships at the Summit, and supports the continuing education of medical professionals and community leaders engaged in the fight against drug abuse,” Gohl added.

“Diversion of prescription medications from their legitimate medical uses has become an epidemic that requires a coordinated national effort,” said Karen Kelly, director of UNITE. “Attendees will have an opportunity to learn from state and national leaders, law enforcement officials, medical professionals, community advocates, treatment experts, educators, private industry leaders, and others who are finding success in battling this epidemic.”

“In addition,” Kelly continued, “this Summit is intended to foster better understanding and cooperation between all groups – not just the medical community – and how that cooperation can lead to successful outcomes. The Summit will include discussion targeting issues faced by private sector employers.”

Conference programming, guided by a 10-member National Advisory Board, will be responsive to the needs of educators, community advocates, private industry, civic leaders, law enforcement officials, treatment experts in addition to the broad range of health care providers who represent the entire continuum of care.

UNITE has partnered with Inquisit, a division of Amerinet, to provide continuing education credits for a variety of professionals, including attorneys, counselors, social workers, physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners and pharmacists.

“The impact of prescription drug abuse is devastating,” Kelly said. “The economic cost of drug trafficking and abuse is $215 billion in the United States every year. Insurance companies alone lose $72.5 billion per year because of diversion. But the worst part is that more than 27,000 people lose their lives to addiction annually.”

“It is time to tackle this issue through a coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach,” Kelly continued. “Many of the nation’s foremost experts will be leading conversations during the Summit.”

Forty-two percent of the ARC region’s population is rural, compared with 20 percent of the national population. Currently 22.8 percent of ARC counties are considered economically distressed.

The ARC is a regional economic development agency that represents a partnership of federal, state and local government. ARC’s mission is to be a strategic partner and advocate for sustainable community and economic development in a 205,000-square mile area spanning 420 counties in 13 states.

For more information about the Appalachian Regional Commission visit www.arc.gov. For more information about the Summit call 1-866-678-6483, visit www.NationalRxDrugAbuseSummit.org, or follow news about the event on Twitter using @RxSummit.

Sealed indictments were released Tuesday, Dec. 6, following an undercover investigation by Operation UNITE into drug trafficking in Morgan County that began this past summer.

At least several cases involved the individuals traveling out-of-state to obtain the pills, said Dan Smoot, deputy director of Operation UNITE. Most of the drugs were either Oxycodone or Hydrocodone pain medications.

UNITE detectives, along with the Kentucky State Police and West Liberty Police Department, set out to serve the warrants Tuesday morning.

By early afternoon six of the 12 had been arrested and lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville. They are:

• David Caskey, 29, KY 1161, West Liberty, one count first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Ronald E. Caskey, 60, of KY 7, West Liberty, three counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Stephen Caskey, 27, Highway 7, West Liberty, three counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Angela Peters Robbins, 36, Darris Smith Road, West Liberty, one count each first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Charles Robert Sanders, 36, Conley Branch, West Liberty, one count first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Jack Sharp, Sr., 69, of KY 134, Adele, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

Police were continuing their efforts to serve the remaining six warrants.

ABC Nightline National Correspondant Chris Bury and Producer Melia Patria went undercover with Operation UNITE and local law enforcement agencies in April 2011 examining the problems posed by pseudoephedrine – the only ingredient that must be used to produce methamphetamine.

In particular the special looked at “smurfing,” the process of paying individuals to get around laws restricting the amount of pseudoephedrine that can be purchased at any one time.

Their special report aired Wednesday, November 30, 2011.

• View video segment Click Here
• Read web article on ABC Click Here
• Read web article on Yahoo Click Here.
• View UNITE photos taken during Nightline visit April 12, 2011 Click Here.
• Read press release on arrests made during Nightline visit April 12, 2011 Click Here