DCSO: 4 people arrested after raid on anti-drug center

Four individuals were arrested after the Daviess County Sheriff's Office uncovered a drug trafficking operation in progress Monday morning in the 800 block of Hathaway Street. The search yielded more than 12 pounds of marijuana, nearly 250 pills and several other drugs.

DCSO said the agency observed several individuals leaving the residence Monday morning. The agency then conducted traffic stops where they found James Brooks, 61, of Owensboro, traveling with marijuana, methamphetamine, Klonopin pills, hydromorphone, hydrocodone pills, several prescription pills, not in a proper container and Suboxone strips.

Brooks was also found with a plastic bag in his pocket containing a crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine.

A second vehicle occupied by Ray Morrow, 64, of Morganfield and Roger Ritch, 61, of Morganfield, was discovered with a large quantity of marijuana and three individual plastic packages containing suspected methamphetamine, according to DCSO.

After receiving a search warrant, the DCSO Special Investigations Unit searched the Hathaway Street home and found more evidence of a drug trafficking operation, finding a large quantity of suspected methamphetamine, over 5 pounds of marijuana, a loaded handgun, over 20 dosage units of gabapentin, U.S. currency, pipes, rolling papers, scales and other paraphernalia.

In total, DCSO seized 12 pounds of marijuana, more than 200 hydrocodone pills, more than 30 counterfeit Klonopin pills suspected of containing fentanyl, and 3 pounds of methamphetamine.

Brooks, Morrow and Ritch were all at the residence along with Alisha Johnson, 51, of Owensboro. All four men have been charged and are currently being held at the Daviess County Detention Center. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected.

DCSO was assisted by the Henderson Police Department and Kentucky State Police.

They are accused of the following facts:

James Saunders Brooks:

• Trafficking in Controlled Substances, 1st Degree, 2nd or > (> or = 2 grams of methamphetamine) (enhancing the power of a firearm)
• Trafficking in Marijuana (>5 lbs) 1st Offense (Enhanced Power of a Firearm)
• Drug Paraphernalia – Purchase/Possession (Gun Power Enhancement)
• Possession of a handgun by a convicted felon
• Trafficking in Controlled Substances, 1st Degree Offense, 2nd or > (> or = 10 DU of Unspecified Drug) (Enhanced Firearm)
• Trafficking in Controlled Substances, 2nd Degree, 1st Offense (<20 DU of Unspecified Drug, Schedule 3) (Enhanced Firearm)
• Legendary Drug Trafficking, 1st Offense (Enhanced Firearm)

Alisha M. Johnson:

• Trafficking in Controlled Substances, 1st Degree, 1st Offense (> or = 2 grams of methamphetamine) (enhanced firearm)
• Trafficking in Marijuana (>5 lbs) 1st Offense (Enhanced Power of a Firearm)
• Drug Paraphernalia – Purchase/Possession (Gun Power Enhancement)
• Trafficking in Controlled Substances, 3rd Degree, 1st Offense (> or = 20 DU but < or = 120 DU of Unspecified Drug) (Firearm Enhancement)

Roger G. Ritch:

• Trafficking in Controlled Substances, 1st Degree, 2nd or > (> or = 2 grams of methamphetamine) (enhancing the power of a firearm)
• Trafficking in marijuana (> 5 lbs) 1st offense

Raymond C. Morrow:

• Trafficking in Controlled Substances, 1st Degree, 2nd or > (> or = 2 grams of methamphetamine) (enhancing the power of a firearm)
• Trafficking in marijuana (> 5 lbs) 1st offense