SOUTHEASTERN KENTUCKY DRUG TASK FORCE ARRESTS THREE PEOPLE IN TWO SEPARATE BUT CONNECTED NARCOTIC TRAFFICKING NETWORK IN “HUGE DRUG BUSTS”
JOINT OPERATIONS WITH DEA LEADS TO WITH ARREST OF LAUREL COUNTY, KY. MAN IN FIRST RAID, SECOND RAID TWO WEEKS LATER NABBS GEORGIA MAN AND TENNESSEE WOMAN
JUNE 27, 2024 – written by WADE QUEEN
MAJOR CONTRABAND OF METH, MARIJUANA, GUNS, AND CASH SEIZED IN TWO DIFFERENT BUT RELATED DRUG BUSTS BY LOCAL MULTI-COUNTY AND DEA REGIONAL TASK FORCE IN LAUREL COUNTY, KENTUCKY THIS MONTH.
Three people are facing charges in connection with what’s being described as “huge drug busts.”
According to the Laurel County Sheriff Office, an operation by the Laurel County Drug Interdiction Task Force and DEA resulted in the dismantling of a large-scale drug trafficking organization spanning several states that was supplying large amounts of crystal meth to Laurel and Clay Counties.
The Laurel County Sheriff Office says a search warrant was executed on Thursday, June 6, at the home of Vernon Renus Delph 58, on Greg Lane, in London, KY.
The drug task force detectives recovered more than 11 pounds of meth, 8 pounds of marijuana, and they also seized 23 firearms. They also seized more than $15,000 in cash and several vehicles as part of the investigation.
Vernon Renus Delph was arrested and was charged with the following:
- TRAFFICKING IN CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, 1ST DEGREE, 1ST OFFENSE – (> OR = 2 GRAMS METHAMPHETAMINE),
- TRAFFICKING IN MARIJUANA ( > 5 LBS.) 1ST OFFENSE,
- POSSESSION OF HANDGUN BY CONVICTED FELON,
- POSSESSION OF FIREARM BY CONVICTED FELON. Vernon Renus Delph also is being held on a
- FEDERAL DETAINER.
Vernon Renus Delph was transported to and lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center in London on $50,000 full cash bond only; and no bond allowed on the Federal Detainer charge.
The Laurel County Sheriff Office reported that they continued the investigation, which led to the supply source, and on Thursday, June 20, another raid operation resulted in the seizure of an additional 9 pounds of meth in London.
The operation on June 20 resulted in the arrest of Jay Boykin, 30, Villa Rica, Georgia; and Caronda Tilman, 46, of Nashville, Tennessee.
Jay Boykin was federal charged with:
- TRAFFICKING IN CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, 1ST DEGREE, 1ST OFFENSE – (> OR = 2 GRAMS METHAMPHETAMINE),
- FEDERAL PRISONER HELD-IN TRANSIT/COURT/SERVEOUT. Jay Boykin was also state charged with: FLEEING OR EVADING POLICE, 1ST DEGREE (MOTOR VEHICLE),
- RECKLESS DRIVING
Jay Boykin was transported to and lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center in London, and is being held on no bond allowed.
Caronda Tilman was charged with:
- TRAFFICKING IN CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, 1ST DEGREE, 1ST OFFENSE – (> OR = 2 GRAMS METHAMPHETAMINE),
- *FEDERAL PRISONER HELD-IN TRANSIT/COURT/SERVEOUT.
Caronda Tilman was transported to and lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center in London, and is being held on no bond allowed.
This major drug case investigation is ongoing, and the Laurel County Sheriff Office says more indictments and more arrests that are connected to the case are anticipated.
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