Owensboro Police Release Details of Major Drug Trafficking Investigation | News

OWENSBORO, Ky. (WEVV) – There is new information about a major drug ring that was broken up in Western Kentucky.

Through the efforts of numerous law enforcement agencies, the drug trade in Owensboro, Ohio County, Louisville and Los Angeles has now been completely dismantled after a year-long investigation.

There are currently 37 defendants facing federal charges for drug trafficking and weapons offenses, and nearly 20 of those individuals lived in our area.

“As a society, we are much more connected today. It is much easier for organizations across the country to make contacts and identify the source of supply,” said Lt. Col. JD Winkler, deputy chief of the Owensboro Police Department.

The Owensboro Police Department was just one of many agencies that helped the DEA and IRS dismantle a major drug ring that supplied our community with methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine.

“We can't just keep doing what we've been doing: just walk up to a door, make an arrest on the street and move on,” says Deputy Chief JD Winkler.

Owensboro police told 44News that this arrest was no ordinary street arrest and helped them establish connections to the top of the organization and stop further drug trafficking.

Her detective work took her from Owensboro to Louisville and across the country to Los Angeles.

After identifying the perpetrators, investigators sat back and observed the crime. In time, they managed to intercept a drug shipment headed to Owensboro. It contained over 250 pounds of meth and 25 pounds of cocaine.

“Part of this seizure was destined for Owensboro – Daviess County. However, it is very likely that the entire seizure would have been distributed throughout western Kentucky and southern Indiana,” says Deputy Chief JD Winkler.

According to the DEA, the investigation resulted in numerous drugs being seized from the street that could have led to overdoses, as well as weapons that could have fallen into the wrong hands.

“As part of this investigation, we also seized approximately 30 firearms that we picked up off the street,” said Michael Gannon, DEA Special Agent in Charge in Indianapolis.

Owensboro police said they will not let up in their efforts to dismantle drug rings and that this is just the beginning.