Huntington's Heroin Trade Takes Major Hit, Police Say

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Posted: 4:41 PM Aug 6, 2008
Last Updated: 1:04 PM Aug 7, 2008
Reporter: Michael Wooten
Email Address: michael.wooten@wsaz.com

45 comments

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- After a lengthy local and federal investigation, at least 24 people, many from Huntington, are accused of selling or buying black tar heroin that originated in Mexico.

Huntington Police Chief Skip Holbrook announced the arrests and indictments at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

Joined by representatives from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Cabell County Prosecutor's Office, U.S. Attorney's Office and Cabell County Sheriff's Department, Holbrook said 19 of the 24 suspects have been arrested or indicted.

Police believe the alleged ring leader of the trade, Jose Hernandez Salazar of Mexico, is on the run in the Columbus area, where he is accused of running the Huntington trade.

Holbrook said many of the local users/dealers would drive to Columbus to buy "user amounts" of drugs. Some would sell part of the supply on the streets of Huntington and in the greater Cabell County area.

Local arrests include Brandon Matthew Williams, Windy L. Keller, Donna Allen, Michael Shane Watts, Kim LaGrande, Rodney Johnson, William Jack Caudill, Michelle Byars, Paul Dempsey, Devon Hale, Donald Hale and Jackeline Ellis.

The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are possible.

Chief Holbrook said the investigation would not have been possible without federal assistance. HPD received assistance after the area was declared a "High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area."

Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for more information, and watch the full report on NewsChannel 3 Tonight at 11 p.m. on WSAZ.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 9, 2008 at 03:47 PM
Raven-sounds like with all of your anger that drugs might be a viable option for you. You act as if only poor people that receive assistance do drugs. Umm sorry, not true. I was also wondering what it felt like to be perfect and have all of the solutions for the problems that are facing the nation. Maybe you should run for office, you seem to know everything.

Posted by: Lisa on Aug 9, 2008 at 11:08 AM
It is nice to see that they are doing there job. I don't have a lot of faith in authority figure's. This will probably won't even scratch the surface of the drug problem here. I moved here from Chicago over a year ago and the drug problem here isn't much better. I guess it's bad all over. It's a crying shame.

Posted by: Raven on Aug 8, 2008 at 08:27 PM
to Paul j " Studies prove that decriminalization doesn't increase the use of drugs and there will be no violent "turf wars" among dealers if they don't exist. The violence comes from the illegality of drugs, much like that of alcohol during Prohibition.--When and Where were your Drugs Legalized in your study.As for legalization Yes Alcohol Is Legal and it Kills Thousands Yeary From Health issues to drunk Drivers Killing innocent victims.If it takes an officer on every street corner to make my family safe from these THUGS then so be it-If this is your Police State then iam truly sorry you feel that way.Im so sick and tired of the Libral view on legalization.Drugs are and will always be illegal.Just what i want some idiot driving down the road with a mouth full of pain killers while hes smoking a joint.Give me a break your views are all wet.Legalizing Pot will only make us honest citizens pay for the welfare recipiant to use this as another medicine that will be paid by our tax dollars

Posted by: Heather on Aug 8, 2008 at 02:05 PM
To NS: Just because you're married to someone, doesn't mean you know what they do every second of the day. I'm not saying that your husband is or is not guilty, but there are a many a people who have double lives. I know PLENTY of people who drink, smoke cigarettes, and enjoy the occasional joint without their spouses knowing. We're not talking about once in a blue moon-we're talking about almost daily and for years-think of it like cheating. Also, if "innocent" people would stay away from people and areas that are associated with drugs, THEY won't be associated with drugs.

Posted by: Paul J. on Aug 8, 2008 at 01:48 PM
Wow, someone actually agrees with Charles about making our country a police state. It didn't work for the U.S.S.R. and it won't work here. We already have a War on Drugs, perhaps we should try a different approach, decriminalize them and then use the tax money to treat the current addicts. Addiction is a sickness that you need to fight with medical care and not with a "war." Studies prove that decriminalization doesn't increase the use of drugs and there will be no violent "turf wars" among dealers if they don't exist. The violence comes from the illegality of drugs, much like that of alcohol during Prohibition. Too bad drug dealers don't donate politically like the beer and liquor companies did back then.

Posted by: Richard on Aug 8, 2008 at 09:18 AM
I dont ever commeny on anothers postings...but this time.Charles idea is scarey.private contractor is a term used to mislead there real name.which is mercenary,s..and i for 1 will not stand for them in my country.running amuck and making profit..cause the plan would be disarm every 1 then shoot any one with a gun cause they must be a bad guy.i would rather see drugs legal. then to see armed assult mercenary,s running are streets.to confiscate americans stuff for profit.that is just wrong!Vigilantism would be preferd over paid killers because a vigilante would be doing it to protect his way of life instead of proffit.so pass laws to allow good citizens to clean up the mess cause we already been paying for years and its only made things worse.so dont offer them more money to stop the drugs Demand some results from the billions already spent on the WAR on DRUGS!!god bless and have great day. Richard

Posted by: tim on Aug 8, 2008 at 07:49 AM
im glad see these people off street.drugs are all over the place.ironton,ohio/ashland,ky has same trouble.good going hpd keep up great work.

Posted by: Pablo on Aug 8, 2008 at 06:26 AM
Frankly, Charles Carroll, I think your idea is a hard nut to crack. Private contractors with police powers? Who are going to police them? Would you want some "private contractors" having a gunfight with drug dealers on the streets of Huntington? And how in the first place would they know who to go after? Are our courts and other legal systems just suppose to turn over names and let them go at it? The drug dealers need executed. Quick trial, either they deal in drugs or not. If dealing, they are dead. Believe me, that would do much to reduce drugs use and with it, the crime.

Posted by: Raven on Aug 7, 2008 at 08:50 PM
To Charles-You need to Run For Office with an agenda like that on drugs and crime you have my vote. I agree its time we took back our streets although i think the contractors would be hard to police themseves as they would need to be in deep in the drug trade to catch the real thugs that need taken off the streets.I Say send them to Iraq under guard if need be let them clean the bed pans and comodes of the Real Youth of America that are protecting everyones freedom.Lets face it its a new generation of youth drugs are widely available.They have No respect for our laws or society. Until stiffer penalties are put in place and we quit slapping them on the wrist this lawlessness will continue.No More Goverment Aid if you are found guilty of a serious crime.Stop the Welfare Get A Job.I say Give Them 3 Hots and a Cot but change the scenry. Send them overseas to pay back their debt to society.Put a toilet brush or a broom in their hand a little sweat and tears might snap them back into reality

Posted by: Chuck D on Aug 7, 2008 at 08:43 PM
charles carroll, you idea stinks. Is you middle name Stalin?

Posted by: Laura on Aug 7, 2008 at 06:47 PM
I gotta agree with Shellie and Aaron on this one! This is the type of drugs law enforcement needs to be able to concentrate on.

Posted by: shellie on Aug 7, 2008 at 02:04 PM
I agree with Aaron.. dude you said the truth... You don't see peoples lives being ruined from marijuana like crack, coke, pills, herione or drinking for that matter. Never heard of a home being broken up because of addiction to weed.... The police do need to pounce on these DEADLY drugs, their dealers, and their buyers.... Get rid of demand, won't need a supply... But it will take guts and strong will, but if everyone took a stand and acted, then eventually the problem could/would be under control.. Can't get rid of it, but can get Huntington back to a good town.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 7, 2008 at 01:45 PM
Well, I think its about time! Get them off the street and chase the other trash out of Huntington back to Detroit and Columbus.

Posted by: BigAl on Aug 7, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Glad to hear these guys are off the streets! There's another guy who was arrested a few months ago who gets all his dope from Mexico and Columbus. He did NO jail time and didn't even get his name on the news. I guess if mommy and daddy have money you just get a slap on the wrist.

Posted by: Anita on Aug 7, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Oscar, I think WSAZ does a fine job as well. However, there have been more than several stories as of late that have been lacking in detail. Rather vague at times. Even ones with BIG errors. I am a person who pays close attention to detail. Alot of people such as yourself do not. So when someone like myself has a question it is expected you would not understand. For you have missed the small details. I am glad to see we are both fans of WSAZ.

Posted by: NS on Aug 7, 2008 at 10:02 AM
YEAH WSAZ DOES A "FINE JOB", THAT'S WHY THERE IS A PARTICULAR PERSON WHO IS NAMED AND HIS FACED PUT ON TV WHO IS ACTUALLY INNOCENT OF THESE ACCUSATIONS AND NOW HIS CHILDREN'S LIVES ARE IN TURMOIL. I KNOW FOR A FACT THIS PERSON ISN'T A DRUG TRAFFICER.....HOW DO I KNOW? I'M MARRIED TO HIM! THINGS AREN'T ALWAYS WHAT THEY SEEM AND DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ. HUNTINGTON P.D. HAS MORE SKELETONS THAN YOU KNOW IN THEIR CLOSET. THEY AREN'T HERE TO PROTECT US.

Posted by: jesca on Aug 7, 2008 at 09:25 AM
life in prison would be amazing if they could actually make it happen! hopefully they find salazar too!

Posted by: charles carroll on Aug 7, 2008 at 09:11 AM
The drug trade is our hardest nut to crack , I say use private contractors with police powers , let them keep the cash or assets and turn over the drugs to federal authorities who would document and destroy them ,those convicted would be sent to Iraq or where ever we have a war in progress .The contractors would have to comply with rigerous safegaurds to keep them honest and like the one's already inplace in Iraq would be protected by national security laws , after all drugs have harmed us as a nation and also our national security .My bet would be that the drug business would change and recede as drug dealers assumed the role of prey .There is no doubt its a simple principal to make it profitable to catch drug dealers .There would be no reason cops could'nt own and run their own interdiction companys , since the drug trade is vast it would be a booming industry that fortunes could be made with , its capitilism ,its timely and its time consider other ideas.

Posted by: Janet on Aug 7, 2008 at 08:37 AM
Ok, so the Feds finally noticed that Huntington is a cesspool of drugs. That really is great. Now, do you think the Feds could have a little talk with our judges about maybe giving these low life dealers REAL jail time? I feel so sorry for the police, busting their humps and risking their lives arresting these scumbags, only to see them back on the street in an hour.

Posted by: Richard on Aug 7, 2008 at 08:03 AM
I would have rather seen salazar arested in stead of a bunch of users..salazar will just keep sending it through.ppl. are waiting in line to mule it for him.$$$$ but now there are no leads to the main man.he will start a new crew and the dope will not even slow down.dont get me wrong im happy any time a druggie is taken off the street.but in the long term. what we need is the supply line stoped...God be with us all..have a great day.

Posted by: Nikki on Aug 7, 2008 at 07:57 AM
First of all before you go putting someone's father on the News for a crime he didn't commit maybe you should get all the facts. Rodney Johnson is innocent and not tied in with any of the others shown. So, to the Police Dept, the Feds (who obviously don't know what they are doing) and the News, thanks for considering these chilren you've pretty muched destroyed with you're accusations. I don't care whether you approve this comment or not, for every wrong thing you do it comes back to you and believe me ALL OF YOU ARE WRONG ABOUT THIS MAN! Why doesn't Huntington PD get drug tested randomly? Because they are in on it. Wake up Huntington.

Posted by: oscar weidenheimer on Aug 7, 2008 at 01:53 AM
i think wsaz does a fine job, Anita

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 7, 2008 at 12:44 AM
Yeah They cant afford to house them in the jail because they are to busy housing criminals like the guy with the little debbie cakes.

Posted by: Anita on Aug 6, 2008 at 11:44 PM
Thank you Michael Wooten for giving me the answers to my questions. I feel very touched that you personally took the time not only to read but answer my comment. Thank you for not being insulting. I watch WSAZ daily and after you kindly taking a moment out of your day to answer me it has restored my faith in WSAZ. Again thank you and keep the news coming.

Posted by: jj on Aug 6, 2008 at 11:38 PM
some friggin lawyer and judge will let them back on the street. hope they sleep well at night.

Posted by: t on Aug 6, 2008 at 11:28 PM
Yes someone did and it is very sad. It is really terrible that the drug is taking over peoples lives. When they catch the Mexican dude the need to send him to the electric chair for taking lives.

Posted by: Roy on Aug 6, 2008 at 11:28 PM
Simon hiring more law enforcement is better for everyone in more ways then just combating drugs. Using tax money to put people through rehab is a bad idea. No one gets hooked after the first time, second and even third with MOST drugs. It comes down to personal accountability. These people got up everyday and made a choice to put this into their system. Rehab is just the tax payer paying for STUPID peoples mistakes. Giving people free rehab only per motes the problem. There is not just one reason or answer to solve the drug problem. It’s a slew of things. When people have no jobs, no education, and no hope they turn to drugs. Yes people with jobs and education are on drugs to because they fall back into the STUPID people category and they woke up and made that choice to take it everyday just like the others. But I would rather pay to have people locked up and not causing society problems then paying them on welfare and so on out causing EVERYONE problems and stealing our stuff.

Posted by: Aaron on Aug 6, 2008 at 11:23 PM
I am so happy they caught these drug trafficers. We have a serious problem with crack, pills, and now heroin is trying to sneak in. This is the problem the police need to be putting their funds towards, not flying fuel hungry helicopters eradicating pot feilds. If they used the resources to put more police in the areas where the dealers of DEADLY drugs are being dealt instead of looking for flowers in the forest then maybe we would have this problem under control.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 6, 2008 at 11:17 PM
sounds like HHS still cant win especially if they dont get a new head coach. doesnt head coaches usually play in college or are they all born from science teachers? and they also have colegrove back up there . isnt he the one that fears no woman?

Posted by: anon1 on Aug 6, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Did someone overdose in Westmoreland this weekend? Rumors flying but havent seen anything on the news.

Posted by: Jesca on Aug 6, 2008 at 09:58 PM
Michael, thank you for commenting back to some of the rude people that decide to ridicule the media. :) I love WSAZ keep up the good work!

Posted by: Simon: ) on Aug 6, 2008 at 09:52 PM
Danny, using the tax money for more rehab clinics would end the drug trade. No demand, no supply. Our gov't is too busy spending this money and hiring law enforcement just to make arrests. No money to house the criminals or prosecute them. The drug war is a big of a joke as the war in iraq. Neither are working out too well.

Posted by: huntington gal on Aug 6, 2008 at 09:26 PM
Good job HPD and Holbrook!! People with the negative comments about our police...get a clue...they are doing the best they can. They do not have nearly enough officers and have a crime rate equal to Charleston and they have 100 more officers. Give our policemen some support and applaud them! Hopefully we can get this town straightened out and back to being a nice place to live.

Posted by: Somone on Aug 6, 2008 at 08:54 PM
I love how people on here take serious things and turn into gossip. Quit talking start doing something.

Posted by: Danny on Aug 6, 2008 at 08:29 PM
Good luck on keeping ANY drug dealers in jail or getting any serious time with the judges in Cabell County.After talking to the drug unit "they arrest them" "judges turn them loose" They cant afford to house them in the jail its just there for short terms and looks!

Posted by: Michael Wooten on Aug 6, 2008 at 07:20 PM
Responding to Anita's comment... There have been nearly two dozen arrests and/or indictments since September 2007. However, the vast majority of the arrests happened recently. In fact, about a half dozen were arrested just today. Others were picked up over the past few days. Most of the indictments were handed down in late July of this year. Also, you will not find many of the names on the Regional Jail Website because they were arrested in Columbus. Also, suspects oftentimes do not show up in the system when they face federal charges or have been moved to another facility. I hope we have restored your faith! Thanks for watching.

Posted by: TO BRIAN on Aug 6, 2008 at 07:16 PM
Ok seriously Brian, shows your ignorance making a critical comment about the Chief chewing gum. That is not really hurting you in any way when he chews the gum is it? Why don't you spend some of your critical comments on something productive, you know productive like the chief does ,like making things a little safer while he chews his gum. Gum chewing might be a good hobby for you, might kep your mouth occupied

Posted by: Emily on Aug 6, 2008 at 07:05 PM
Great job! Now go after all the doc's that like to prescribe pills for people who DO NOT need them. As for the druggies I hope they all do ALOT of time, then get out and get a real job like the rest of us! Grow up druggies!!!

Posted by: Anita on Aug 6, 2008 at 07:01 PM
WOWK is reporting 22 arrests SINCE SEPTEMBER!!! Almost 1 year ago. WSAZ is acting like it happened today. Only 2 names out of the ones listed are on the WVRJA website. Was there a major drug bust today or not? I am loosing faith in WSAZ as a reliable source of information.

Posted by: john on Aug 6, 2008 at 06:48 PM
good need to get them off the streets

Posted by: Ha! Ha! on Aug 6, 2008 at 06:40 PM
Wow, sounds like someone forgot to pay da man. Now da man has it all.

Posted by: SOME1 on Aug 6, 2008 at 06:32 PM
THEY WILL ALL GET HOME CONFINEMENT! ITS HUNTINGTON NOT MUCH HELP! PEACE OUT

Posted by: Brian on Aug 6, 2008 at 06:04 PM
It was nice to see Chief Holbrook not chewing gum like a big cow, while on TV

Posted by: Raven on Aug 6, 2008 at 05:40 PM
KUDOS to the HPD and Cabell County Sheriffs Dept Well Done. Now lets see if the Prosecutors Office and The Judge Do Their Jobs.No Plea Deals,If you make an example of this crew it will send a messaage.God Bless The Peace Keepers.Lets hope the Justice system works for a change.

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