Madisonville fentanyl trafficking investigation leads to five arrests | Crime

MADISONVILLE, Ky. (WEVV) — Authorities in Madisonville say they have made a series of arrests as part of an investigation into fentanyl trafficking in the community.

Last May, officials with the Madisonville-Hopkins County Deputy Narcotics Unit and Kentucky State Police said they began investigating a fentanyl trafficking organization in the city of Madisonville.

During the investigation, authorities say they made a secret purchase of several counterfeit fentanyl pills and identified Robert Daugherty, 21, of Slaughters, as one of their primary suppliers.

On May 29, police said a traffic stop led to the seizure of more fentanyl pills and the arrest of Jayla Western, who was seen purchasing the pills from Julio Rivera in Madisonville. Police said the driver of the vehicle, Juwon Smith, was in possession of marijuana and a degraded firearm.

That same day, police say they obtained a search warrant for a home on Bernard Drive, where Rivera was selling the pills to Western. During a search, they say they found approximately two ounces of fentanyl pills, three ounces of marijuana, two ounces of THC wax, 22 THC cartridges and two guns.

On Monday, police said they obtained a search warrant for Daugherty's home in Slaughters. During that search, they say they found approximately a pound of marijuana, a pound of THC wax, methamphetamine and four firearms.

Throughout the investigation, police said they seized approximately 567 pills believed to cause more than 2,000 overdoses.

Police said Daugherty, Rivera, Western, Smith and Shawn Bailey were all arrested and booked into the Hopkins County Jail on various charges.