POSEY CO., IN (WFIE) -
It's being called the "largest and most successful drug round up" ever in Posey County. More than 30 people arrested with the help of multiple agencies including the FBI.
The Black Township Fire Department served as the command post during this morning's round up.
This was an operation a year in the making, that began well before the sun came up Friday morning.
Law enforcement, along with the prosecutor, say it's a proactive step toward getting drugs and those who sell them, off the streets.
"We're not going to tolerate it," said Posey County Prosecutor Travis Clowers.
That was the message behind Friday morning's drug round-up in Posey County.
"We have the resources and capabilities of investigating these types of crimes and we focused on it," Clowers said.
Those resources include some 95 officers from multiple agencies who gathered at 4:30 Friday morning to begin the final stage of Operation: Fair Warning.
Law enforcement tell us they made 33 arrests, primarily in the greater Mt. Vernon area.
People accused of dealing meth, cocaine, marijuana and a growing problem, prescription pills.
"We're seeing a rapid increase in our undercover operations that has led to the prescription pills," said Kenny Rose with the Narcotics Unit.
Pills don't cause potential home explosions like meth labs, but according to Sheriff Greg Oeth, that doesn't mean they aren't dangerous.
"When we have the individuals that get involved with the pills they become chemically dependent on the pills and then it drives them to commit the other crimes," Sheriff Oeth said.
This sweep, we're told. was even bigger than last year's Operation: Heat Wave.
Mt. Vernon Police Chief Grant Beloat says after the last go round, it's spot on.
"Fair Warning's very appropriate for this because we told at that time when we had our news conference that wasn't the end and that we weren't going to put up with this in our community anymore," Chief Beloat said.
And authorities hope this round-up proves to the public, when they speak up about drug issues, someone is listening.
Law enforcement tell us there were no incidents while these arrests were being made.
In all, there were 35 arrest warrants. All of these arrests do mean the Posey County Jail will be at maximum capacity.
Those arrested in Mt. Vernon were:
Melissa C. Adler, 37
Russell S. Adler, 32
Jarod G. Allred, 32
Sierra N. Burton, 28
Cathy L. Gahl, 44
Austin M. Kusturin, 19
Chad R. Marchand, 25
William E. Maryville, 41
Rachel L. Osborne, 30
Jeremy A Quinn, 32
Antjuan D. Rollins, 32
Vitula I. Wilkerson, 58
Terry L Vaupel, 63
Chris J. Trafford, 19
Adam L. Stewart, 39
Buddy P. Snelling, 37
Amanda M. Shockley, 29
Jacquelyn Jo Shell, 44
Rachel M. Schmidt, 21
Tonya R. Ricketts, 46
Corey M. Ricketts, 24
Ronald T. McDowell, 36
Stephen M. Miller, 39
Richard A. Lashley, 41
Chris A. Jolley, 29
Nicholas J. Forsee, 21
Kenneth Ashby, 29
Andrew S. Bowles, 25
Melissa D. Porter, 36
Jennifer N. Stewart of Shreveport, LA
Eric Loehr, Outstanding warrant
Two juveniles were also arrested.
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