Most arrested on Laurel Street

Editor

Nine people were arrested as a part of an Operation UNITE investigation in Perry County Friday morning, many of whom reside on Laurel Street in Hazard, an area of the city police say has been a hotbed for drug activity for some time.

"Over the years, Laurel Street has been one street we've had to concentrate on a regular basis because of problems," said Hazard Police Chief Ronnie Bryant, who further noted that along with UNITE and the Perry County Sheriff's Office, the Hazard Police Department has been investigating cases pertaining to the area.

“We had a lot of complaints about problems on Laurel Street,” said Mike Luttrell, manager of UNITE’s Kentucky River Drug Task Force. “Hopefully, with these arrests, the neighborhood can be reclaimed from drug dealing.”

According to a news release from Operation UNITE, the warrants were the culmination of a "months-long investigation," a point Bryant emphasized about these types of cases. "When the public gives police tips, you can't arrest people the same day," he said. "It takes a thorough investigation."

At 8:00 a.m. Friday morning some of those investigations came to an end as detectives with Operation UNITE, along with officers of the Hazard Police Department and deputies with the Perry County Sheriff's Office, began serving warrants in the city and out in the county. By days end, nine of 15 warrants had been served. Authorities did note that they will be serving the remaining warrants in he coming days.

Those arrested Friday morning were transported to the Kentucky River Regional Jail. Those people are:

Glenna K. Baker, age 51, Hardburly Road, Bulan, first-degree trafficking

in a controlled substance and third-degree possession of a controlled

substance.

Johnny Baker, age 45, Laurel Street, Hazard, trafficking in a controlled

substance within 1,000 yards of a school.

Marissa Fugate, age 29, Laurel Street, Hazard, second-degree trafficking

in a controlled substance.

Carolyn Runyon, age 38, Main Street, Hazard, theft by unlawful taking

items valued under $300.

Mildred Slone, age 65, Laurel Street, Hazard, two counts second-degree

trafficking in a controlled substance.

Bert Stacy, age 42, Laurel Street, Hazard, two counts second-degree

trafficking in a controlled substance and one count third-degree trafficking

in a controlled substance.

Doyle Standafer, age 19, Laurel Street, Hazard, trafficking in a

controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school.

Gerald Tolson, age 59, Laurel Street, Hazard, two counts trafficking in a

controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school.

Clifton Williams, age 33, Laurel Street, Hazard, first-degree trafficking

in a controlled substance.