JACKSON – Police sought to arrest 19 people on drug-related charges early Wednesday morning (November 13), culminating an undercover investigation by Operation UNITE and the Jackson Police Department.

Since early summer, UNITE detectives have focused on identifying individuals suspected of trafficking in prescription pills – and even some methamphetamine – throughout Breathitt County.

“We primarily purchased the pain relievers Oxycodone and Hydrocodone,” noted Paul Hays, law enforcement director for UNITE. “Chief Ken Spicer and his department worked closely with us during the six-month investigation to identify and make drug purchases from these suspects.”

Around 8 a.m., officers from the Jackson Police Department and Kentucky State Police joined with UNITE detectives to serve arrest warrants.

As of 1:30 p.m. police had arrested 10 of those sought and were continuing to search for the others.

Most of those arrested were lodged in the Three Forks Regional Jail.

Those arrested were:

• Luther Baker, 49, Hurst Lane, Jackson, two counts trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school.

• Brad Bowling, 32, Broadway Street, Jackson, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and one count second-degree persistent felony offender.

• Bobby Combs, 36, Highland Road, Jackson, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Chrisandra Combs, 44, Hurst Lane, Jackson, trafficking in a simulated substance.

• Henry Deaton, 57, Old Buck Road, Jackson, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Charlie Howard, 50, Jetts Drive, Jackson, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Ashley Little, 25, Hurst Lane, Jackson, trafficking in a simulated substance.

• Brenda Napier Salyers, 49, Park Road, Jackson, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Christopher Stamper, 37, Hawk Street, Jackson, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Kenny Stamper, 52, Millers Trailer Court, Jackson, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school.