Federal, state, and local police have fractured a major drug-trafficking ring in and around Bowling Green.
In a round-up dubbed "Operation Christmas Vacation," law enforcement officers set out Wednesday to arrest 19 individuals who are under indictment in Warren County on felony drug crimes.
The high-level offenders are charged with distributing cocaine, heroin, marijuana, prescription pills, and synthetic marijuana.
Warren County Commonwealth’s Attorney Chris Cohron said the year-long investigation was conducted by multiple law enforcement agencies including federal, which provided a real advantage. "There's not a provision to do wiretaps at state-level investigations," explained Cohron. "Having the partnership with state and federal agencies, working with the U.S. Attorney's Office, allowed us to use wiretaps that led to charges of this magnitude."
Cohron says the suspects are large-scale suppliers and their organization crossed state and likely international boundaries.
"This will have a chilling effect on drug trafficking in this area," he added.
Cohron expects more indictments and arrests in the coming months.