Twenty-two individuals in the Knox County area were arrested Friday on drug-trafficking and methamphetamine related charges as a result of a lengthy investigation conducted by Kentucky State Police Detective Kelly Farris and Detective Brian Senters of the Barbourville Police.
Trooper First Class Walt Meachum, public affairs officer of the Harlan state police post said state police troopers, detectives and Barbourville Police officers began making the arrests at 6 a.m. Friday.
According to Trooper Meachum, one of the individuals arrested, Daniel Hatfield, age 32 of Corbin, had pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking charge in Whitley County on July 6, and allegedly sold narcotics to a confidential informant three hours after entering the plea. Hatfield now faces the additional charges of trafficking in a controlled substance and trafficking in a controlled substance within 1000 yards of a school.
Investigators said the drugs involved in the round-up included methamphetamine, prescription narcotics and crack cocaine. One of the individuals was charged with marijuana related offenses.
Police continue to search for 4 individuals as Detectives Farris and Senters continue the investigation.