Huntington's Heroin Trade Takes Major Hit, Police Say
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Updated: 1:04 PM Aug 7, 2008
Huntington's Heroin Trade Takes Major Hit, Police Say
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.
Posted: 4:41 PM Aug 6, 2008
Reporter: Michael Wooten
Email Address: michael.wooten@wsaz.com
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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.


Latest Comments

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.
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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.
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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
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