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."

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