NKyTribune staff
Covington Police Thursday released the results of a joint operation that resulted in charges against more than 50 individuals from throughout the region for a wide range of drug offenses.
The arrests are the result of a nine-month investigation that included the Covington Police Department, with assistance from the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force. Fourteen of those charged have been taken into custody.
The Covington Police Department released the following statement regarding the investigation:
The Covington Police Department, with the assistance of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force, recently concluded a nine month narcotics investigation which has led to criminal narcotics charges for over 50 individuals.
Suspects taken into custody, with charges (left to right). Top row – Larry Combs of Covington – Federal Drug Trafficking and Guns Charges, James Combs of Cincinnati – Federal Drug Trafficking Charges, Ryan Smith of Cincinnati – Federal Drug Trafficking Charges, Shawnkil Lewis of Cincinnati – Federal Drug Trafficking Charges, Amanda Ross of Cincinnati – Federal Drug Trafficking Charges, Middle Row – Darrell Mason of Park Hills, KY – Trafficking in Heroin, Mark Morgan of Cincinnati – Trafficking in Heroin and Carfentanil, Heather Easterling of Covington – Trafficking in Fentanyl, Timmothy Figgs of Covington – Trafficking in Heroin (2 Counts), Jondon Richardson of Cincinnati – Trafficking in Crack Cocaine – 2 Counts, Bottom Row – Jennifer Soard of Covington – Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Ira Boles Jr. of Covington – Trafficking in Methamphetamine (3 Counts), Devanei Miller of Covington – Trafficking in Heroin (5 Counts)
Possession of a Handgun by a Convicted Felon, Willie White of Covington – Trafficking in Heroin (4 Counts). Click to enlarge.
There are a wide array of charges which include Trafficking in Heroin, Fentanyl, Carfentanil (Grey Death), Cocaine, Crack Cocaine and Methamphetamine. Some of these cases occurred within a 1,000 feet of a school.
This investigation targeted mid-level narcotics dealers who either live in Covington or visit Covington for the purpose of selling drugs. Many of the suspects in this investigation were identified through complaints lodged with the Police Department from our citizens. Some of the suspects will be facing multiple trafficking charges for several different cases and transactions.
The Covington Police will release the names of the arrested suspects periodically and will continue the operation until all the suspects have been arrested.
“The Covington Police Department will continue to concentrate on drug sales, especially heroin, as drug use has a direct impact on other crimes such as prostitution, burglary and car break-ins or theft which often times occur to support drug habits”, Chief Rob Nader said. “I thank our citizens, officers and other agency partners that have helped to make this investigation a success”.
Anyone with information about drug dealers in their neighborhood is asked to contact the Covington Police D-Team Vice/Narcotics Division at 859-292-2236 .
