From Appalachia Narcotics Investigations -
On Monday, December 14, 2020 members of Appalachia Narcotics Investigations, Harlan County Sheriff’s Office and Kentucky State Police Post 10 executed arrest warrants and subsequent search warrants in the Shields community of Harlan County.
The investigation stems from several months of investigation by ANI. In the search, suspected heroin, crystal meth, marijuana and different narcotics were discovered. Also found were two rifles, a shotgun, a pistol and several hundred dollars.
Arrested at the scene were:
28 year old Joe Gross of Evarts on charges of trafficking in controlled substance - 1st degree (Methamphetamine), trafficking in controlled substance (Heroin), importing Heroin, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
23 year old Paige Hensley of Evarts was charged with trafficking in controlled substance - 1st degree (Methamphetamine), trafficking in controlled substance (Heroin), and importing heroin.
24 year old Ricky Britt of Harlan was charged with trafficking in controlled substance - 1st degree (Methamphetamine) and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Also arrested was Jason T Brewer of Evarts on unrelated criminal complaint warrants. More arrests involving this case are anticipated.
Assisting ANI at the scene were Chief Deputy Matt Cope, Deputy Danny Ball and Deputy Jason Howard with the Harlan County Sheriff’s Office as well as Tpr. Keith Lowe and Detective Jake Middleton of Kentucky State Police Post 10.
Also assisting were members of KSP’s Canine Branch. Appalachia Narcotics Investigation is a multi-agency narcotics task force consisting of Detectives from the Kentucky State Police, Harlan County Sheriff’s Office, Bell County Sheriff’s Office and the Pineville Police Department.