2 Arrested During Undercover Drug Buy with Toddler in Car
2 Arrested During Undercover Drug Buy with Toddler in Car Save Email Print
Posted: 11:05 AM Nov 26, 2008
 Last Updated: 11:05 AM Nov 26, 2008
 Reporter: Phil Weber
Email Address: news@wsaz.com
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GREENUP, Ky. (WSAZ) -- An undercover drug sting by the Greenup County Sheriff resulted in two arrests.

22-year-old Erica Blair of Portsmouth and 42-year-old Tessa Potts of West Portsmouth were arrested on Tuesday.

Sheriff Keith Cooper says he made arrangements during a cell phone call to buy a number of oxycodone tablets and xanax bars from the women.

Following the call, the sheriff and a deputy met the women at a location just outside South Shore to purchase the pills.

Sheriff Cooper says the women were arrested by waiting deputies. The sheriff says the pills have of street value of more than $5,000.

The women were also charged with endangering the welfare of a minor because there was a 2-year-old baby in the car during the transaction.

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Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 4, 2008 at 12:09 PM
I think that everyone needs to just mind their own business and let everyone live their own lives. If they want to die of drug overdose thats their own problem. Let them be. And for everyones information the doctors in South Shore don't give any pain medication out like candy and if they did it would be a lot worse than it is now. Quit talking about everyone in different counties and states and worry about yourselves.
Posted by: nky on Nov 29, 2008 at 02:58 PM
have you got a mugshot of these two??
Posted by: TO RUSSELL on Nov 29, 2008 at 01:59 PM
What does weight loss clinics have to do with oxycodone and xanax???You can't get those at the weight loss clinics...but since you brought them up I wanna know how the receptionists can hand out adipex all day long and the patients not even see the doctor....that has to be illegal and these clinics have been in the same spots in GC with the same docs and never been questioned...
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 28, 2008 at 11:23 PM
I used to live in South Shore 10 years ago and it was alive with the drug docs even then. Also, I worked at a place with a drive thru in the area and once saw 2 little ones not even in seatbelts in the backseat while the adults were drinking and smoking whacky tobbacky, so I got their license plate number and called the Sheriff. I don't know if they ever got caught but I hope so. Those morons don't deserve to be around kids!
Posted by: decent lady on Nov 28, 2008 at 08:18 PM
this is for "Mayor of Minford", I just want you to know that because someone is from Ky, does not mean that they sleep with (or have babies by) their own kin folks. I'm sick and tired of all the hillbilly hype. All of Kentucky citizens are not TRASH, there are some of us that still have morals and believe in God and his Salvation. I have been to Ohio visitng and I've sure never seen anything over there I'd be proud to be a part of! So just keep your degrading remarks to yourself. Ky, Ohio and W.Va. all have their trashy people as well as their self respecting citizens. Most folks don't want to talk with or about the self respecting, just all the trash, kinda like they are drawn to their own kind!
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 28, 2008 at 04:53 PM
well, u and i know that in south shore they have the doctors all wrapped up around their little finger. but for certain there are doctors who give out the oxycodone and the xanax all day long. if we got those pain clinics away we wouldn't have half the narcotics out there on the street. but hay, money talks and bs walks. alright ky do the right thing and moderate those pain clinics and quit letting it take one's lives'.
Posted by: Mayor of Minford on Nov 28, 2008 at 01:57 PM
Whatever said: "stay across the bridge we do not want you here!" That sounds pretty good coming from someone in Ky... where your dad and brother might be the same person!
Posted by: JAMIE on Nov 28, 2008 at 12:16 PM
I KNOW IT WAS WRONG TO HAVE A CHILD IN THE CAR WHEN THEY WERE DOING A DRUG DEAL, BUT COME ON CHILD ENDANGERMENT,WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE PULLED OVER FOR SPEEDING OR RUNNING RED LIGHTS WITH THEIR KIDS IN THE CAR?THAT IS ENDANDERING KIDS TOO!!!
Posted by: whatever on Nov 28, 2008 at 08:24 AM
You know even though 2 are caught...question is will they stay there? and how many more from Ohio are coming over here? stay across the bridge we do not want you here!
Posted by: nana on Nov 27, 2008 at 11:51 PM
to Areyoulistening 95% of the people in Greenup Co are not on drugs. How do you explain all the deaths in Boyd and Carter Co. recently?. I do agree that drugs are a problem, that need to be dealt with in a most serious manner. But, at the present time, I prefer to live in Greenup Co., instead of Carter Co., or Htgn,W.VA.
Posted by: Visiting from Florida on Nov 27, 2008 at 09:27 PM
Yes, I'm sure they are all getting them from Florida. My ex had a problem with those pills and would tell me how families of 10 from Kentucky would be in the waiting room at his doctors office. They then get it filled down there and bring them up here. They CAN'T fill them up here. It's against the law to fill a narcotic of that classification in any state other than the one where the script was written. And the DEA is cracking down big time on the doctors and pharmacies in Florida. They just had a huge front page story on it about two months ago. And they are still investigating and shutting doctors down.
Posted by: some1 on Nov 27, 2008 at 09:24 PM
that is good that they got them now they need 2 go 2 floirda and bust the doctors down ther thats where all the pills are comeing from
Posted by: To are you listening on Nov 27, 2008 at 08:33 PM
To: Are You Listening, you are wrong I live in Greenup County and I'm not hopped up on something there alot of good people in Greenup County. Sound like you have deal with the law one to time or another, or have a problem maybe for the same thing these people has been caught for . I hope Sheriff Cooper put all the drug dealers in jail. Keep up the good work Sheriff Cooper 95% of the people in Greenup County is behind you to clean up the County Drug Problem . Now we need to get that 5% drug dealers out of our COUNTY. JOB WELL DONE////
Posted by: 2 down on Nov 27, 2008 at 01:58 PM
2 down how many to go?? a go-zillion??people who do and buy these drugs deserve to stay behind bars! Goos Job Green-up Co.
Posted by: well on Nov 27, 2008 at 10:16 AM
maybe someone made them do this....think we should get the whole story before we judge,also is there any pictures of these 2?
Posted by: Mom of 2 on Nov 27, 2008 at 09:04 AM
Way to go Cooper! Though it is sad that they had a child in the car while doing a drug deal. Some people don't deserve to have children!
Posted by: Russell on Nov 27, 2008 at 08:49 AM
Hope Sheriff Cooper is keeping his eyes on the skinny people going in and out of weight loss centers in our county.
Posted by: upset on Nov 27, 2008 at 06:35 AM
i think they should find out how people is getting hold of the drugs so easy if its the doctors find out start their and i think it will help out alot
Posted by: Hank on Nov 27, 2008 at 01:51 AM
I think this was a gross misunderstanding of the Take Your Daughters to Work day.
Posted by: MARISSA on Nov 27, 2008 at 01:49 AM
GO COOPER GO,YOU GO BOYFRIEND!!!!!
Posted by: Percy on Nov 26, 2008 at 11:54 PM
TO ANON.you are a true idiot.
Posted by: barry on Nov 26, 2008 at 10:30 PM
GOOD JOB SHERIFF COOPER. GREAT UNDERCOVER WORK. NOW YOU KNOW THAT THIS HAPPENING EVERYDAY ALL AROUND. THE PILLS HAVE GOT TO BE SHUTDOWN. THEY ARE RUINING ARE YOUTH. PAIN ADDICTION IS NOT BEATABLE UNLESS IT IS SIMPLY NOT THERE TO PURCHASE.
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 26, 2008 at 07:25 PM
I HOPE SOMEONE WILL TAKE THIS CHILD AND RAISE IT IN A GOOD HOME.
Posted by: well on Nov 26, 2008 at 06:00 PM
Well yeah that is real good come from Ohio to bring the trash into Ky, get back across the bridge we do not want you here!
Posted by: me on Nov 26, 2008 at 04:04 PM
can we see a picture??? of these two??
Posted by: ToAreYouListening on Nov 26, 2008 at 03:23 PM
Just wondering where you got your statistics from? If you dont have the facts to back it up, then you should not make assumptions on something not true.
Posted by: AreYouListening on Nov 26, 2008 at 01:52 PM
What a joke. 95% of the people in Greenup are all hopped up on something. Including "higher ups". Crooked system.
Posted by: ha ha on Nov 26, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Throw the book at'em! Good enough if people are that STUPID they deserve to spend their life behind bars poor baby I hope it got to someone who cares about it,did SS come in and get him??
Posted by: John on Nov 26, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Makes you wonder what kind of future that child could possibly have. Some of these kids could be the next Einstein, but with crack-head parents who don't care about their safety they will just end up malnutrioned and neglected. Its a shame.
Posted by: Anon on Nov 26, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Way to go Sheriff Cooper!!!! He is hot on the drug trail. This man is amazing! Wish we had a guy like him in BC!
Posted by: Pharm. on Nov 26, 2008 at 11:10 AM
I willing to bet the women got their drugs via prescriptions from Florida doctors. The pharmacists who are filling these prescriptions should think twice. For one the prescriptions are not legitimate especially if they are being mailed from Florida. I'm also willing to bet the people who have these prescriptions are not going to Florida to pick them up either. If you have these prescriptions, do not come to my pharmacy!
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The Yell: Comments for the Week of 1/4
  • Posted By: Fixed that for you: Any one who is paid by the general public, us, should have no problem taking urine tests. After all they are in the pubic debt for paying them. Its simple NO TEST, NO CHECK. This is not an attempt to violate rights, it is an attempt to enforce the publics right for our money to go to people in government and on welfare who can be TRUSTED.
  • Posted By: Chris to WSAZ: To all the workers and employees of WSAZ: Thank you for being there and allowing comments about the news.Our family watch only WSAZ news and enjoy each of you. I know that the recognition that you receive is little to none,but you deserve better.This goes out to the producers,cameramen,to everyone behind the scenes and the ones that are seen too. Thank you for having the best news program available to the public. God Bless Each and Everyone of You. Chris
  • Posted By: redbaron: in response to pablo on comment dated 01/06 - EXCUSE ME!! I do believe FIREFIGHTERS also risk their lives for total strangers and no they are NOT law enforcement!
  • Posted By: omg: I am so sick and tired of hearing how public school teachers are indebted to the public for their salary. Many of you are so freakin nosey that if your neighbor stopped too fast, you'd have to get a crane to remove your head from their rear. I am so tired of this drug test line. Teachers deserve to pee in peace and so do you. Why should teachers be forced to have their personal lives paraded all over the news? That is exactly what would happen. If a typical joe blow got fired from the coal mines for drugs, it wouldn't make front page news. A teacher being fired for drugs would. You people expect teachers to be the mother, father, grandparent, clergyman, counselor, as well as the teacher. You don't do anything with your kids but expect the teacher to fix all the problem you create. Some of them probably need drugs by the time they are done raising your spoiled kids who think the world owes them something on a silver platter. Take your own drug test before you get pregnant.
  • Posted By: Sophie: Re: The student (Hinzman?) being expelled for using foul language after being bullied & beaten on school grounds; you should not have been expelled for expressing your hurt, anger & disgust. You were a victim and did nothing. It is unreasonable to punish the victim - so what if he cussed - I'd cuss too if someone beat the beegeebers out of me. The kid who beat you should receive jail time & counciling; the kid who filmed you & released it on U-Tube should too. It has often been said that television is desensitizing our children so badly they have no empathy for others. This is a prime example. I hope the school board will have enough common sense to clear this victims school record of the incident as he should not have been expelled, and get him counciling also as such a trauma will surly have an effect on a young life.
  • Posted By: Boyd: Any one who is employed and gets paid by the general public, us, should have no problem taking urine tests. After all they are in the pubic debt for paying them for their work. Its simple NO TEST, NO JOB. This is not an attempt to violate rights, it is an attempt to enforce the publics right for federal, state and municipal employees who can be TRUSTED.
  • Posted By: George: As a parent I have no problem being drug tested. I'll stand in line right behind Katy.
  • Posted By: goodorbad: I look at it like this-if you dont have anything to hide, shut up and do the test!
  • Posted By: Rick: I think all teachers should be drug tested, I drive a transit bus for our county and I want the public to know I am drug free and teachers should want everyone to know the same, that their children are not in the care of people on drugs,if you have nothing to hide why object to random testing I know I don't
  • Posted By: Tea: I can't even imagine that our teachers have not been drug tested up until this time. Anyone who refuses should be fired. These are our children!!! People take drug test when they don't even work with people, let alone children. These are government jobs and we should have a say in what they have to do.
  • Posted By: Ari: Cheers to Rob-I feel ya!
  • Posted By: joe: I have worked for companies all over this nation and have had to take drug tests. Why should teachers be exempt from this practice? It is now common to be randomly tested(and I have been) so what makes a teacher any different than a steel worker. I can say proudly that I passed but I have seen those who didn't. They chose to use drugs and lost their jobs I didn't.
  • Posted By: Katy: As a teacher, I have no problem being randomly drug tested...as long as you agree to drug test the parents who enter the doors of my school as well. Most teachers deal with students who are exposed to/use more drugs and alcohol than any of the teachers. If these students or parents who are using drugs (and are not drug tested) enter our schools, the safety of the teachers and students are at risk. Since children spend more time with them, let's randomly drug test PARENTS, too!!!
  • Posted By: stephen: Why the heavy emphasis ont he damage to property and life Israel is doing . Where was the media uproar for years that Hamas was rocketing Israel irespective of innocent israelis.. Hamas is actualykilling their own citizens by firing rockets from UN schools and residents. Why does UN allow Hamas to use facilities for attacking Israel, then complain when Israel responds to protect their territory and citizens. Israel targets military targets, respons to from whence rockets or gun fire comes. What would we fire at if Huntington was attacked?Why does the media not put bla,e where balame belongs, and give moral support to the aggreived.What would America do if attacked? to whom would we listen? Russia, Saudi Arabia,Iran?.Media get REAL! Who has given Hamas and the Palestinians millions with which they could buy weapons---American taxpayers money!
  • Posted By: Robert: Although I feel for the employees that lost their positions at Cabell Huntington Hospital, at least more nurses were hired. I recently had a relative in the cardiac unit at Kings Daughters, in Ashland, and I was told that the nursing staff had been cut back and that no overtime was being given. This seems to be a drastic cut in patient care for a facility that spends thousands advertising that they are in the top 5% of cardiac hospitals in the country. I would be willing to wager that the Cleveland Clinic has not cut hours of those giving patient care.
  • Posted By: Boyd: If the state's budget is doing so well, why don't we use some of this money to help towns and cities in the state who are in trouble with their budget, or will this just become another pay raise for politicians?
  • Posted By: Rob: Why does everyone have to be so into using the term "racist" and have that kind of attitude. I know what my heritage is and who my ancestors were but you want to know what I consider myself? I AM AN AMERICAN! I was born and raised in this country and that's how I feel it should be. Born here, raised here.....then by God you are an American. Not an African American, not an Asian American etc. etc. You are an AMERICAN!
  • Posted By: Chris: To Ex-Officer: I agree with you 100% about the pay of police dept and the drug testing. I was formerly involved with the BCPD and had multiple ride alongs with the BCSO. I am probably one of their biggest critics due to having watch some of the bad side of the department for a long time. I wish that I could tell everything that I have seen officers do,which would put most of them behind bars or they'll lose their sheild, But retalliation is bad in our area. To the cops that do their job and do it with the best intentions, I proud of you and don't mean any disrespect. To the ones who I personally watch being more currupt then the "badguys" here,your day will be coming.
  • Posted By: Pablo: Teachers aren't the only ones underpaid. Law enforcement officers are underpaid also. And I'd like to speak about them. For example, I'm sure any parent would sacrifice their live for thier children. And several may give thier live to save their spouse. A few individuals may even do it for a close friend. But, I only know of 3 types of beings who will sacrifice thier lives for complete strangers; indeed even for people who hate them. The first would be our men and women in our armed forces. The second would be our law enforcement officers. And of course, third would be our Savior, Jesus Christ. Others are killed in the line of their employment, but not in order to save a complete stranger. Everytime a cop puts on his/her uniform, they can be a target for anyone upset about something. Even though it doesn't involve the cop personally, that very cop will give his life to save yours when a problem arises. We need to give our cops not only a wage, but a living wage and a great big THANKS.
  • Posted By: Craig: If what I am hearing is correct that Kanawha County teachers accepted a pay raise in return for submitting to drug testing, and then sued successfully so they do not have to be subject to testing, then why shouldn't we the taxpayers demand they return the raise?
  • Posted By: teresa: racist lmao i am one cherokee,german,irish,german,and who knows what else TIRED of hearing of racist comments u are either GOOD OR BAD k no skin color needed just evil or NOT
  • Posted By: Ex-Officer: I agree with Robert 100% I worked in law enforcement and loved the job but try to rise a family on less than 10.00 an hour (out of that pay for your own duty gear and gun). I believe that all public safety workers should be drug tested but i also believe that they should be paid for the job that they do. Not many people understand what a public safty worker goes through. Would you put your life on the line for this kind of pay? Remember the saying that you get what you pay for. I see this in several new officers in my area. Don't get me wrong there are still very good officers in law enforcement. Something really needs to be done about the low pay for these jobs.
  • Posted By: Garland: What's the difference between teachers and other workers(coal mineers, bus drivers, state employees,etc.)? Teachers aren't any better are they?
  • Posted By: : This is not a comment, but I would like comments on it please. What do you think of Poca High School? Racist or not?
  • Posted By: Robert: We the people, through our own self centeredness and apathy, have allowed our teachers and police officials to be some of the most underpaid people in the United States. We are trusting our childrens education and our public safety to the very people that are some of the most underpaid profesions in the U.S.. If I could change this, I would. However, I do believe that these people should be randomly drug tested. I work in the construction industry and I have no problem being drug tested. I have nothing to hide. I also believe that any person who is intrusted with the safety of others should have nothing to hide. This includes plitical officials up to and including the president.
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