Spring Break
Butler Co. makes $400K drug bust
Erin Fischesser
Issue date: 11/18/08 Section: Community
Butler County Police completed the biggest drug bust in its history in October, seizing seven kilograms of cocaine with a reported street value of more than $400,000.
Butler County sheriff's deputies and Fairfield police arrested Sudinia Johnson, 34, of Hamilton and Otis Kelly, 40, of Fairfield Oct. 29 on the corner of Pleasant Avenue and Nilles Road in Fairfield.
According to Sgt. Monte Mayer of the Butler County sheriff's department, two vehicles were seized at the scene, with search warrants for the suspect's residences and a storage facility led to the seizure of three other vehicles.
One of the vehicles was reportedly equipped with an alarm-protected hydraulic system in the back seat in order to hide the illegal substances.
Mayer said the drugs are believed to be connected in some way to Mexican drug trafficking from a source in Chicago, although police have been unable to make the final connection to Mexico.
"Every indication shows that it came from Mexico," Mayer said.
Mayer said that the bust was a result of Butler County's well-developed Drug Task Force.
"We feel fortunate that our drug investigators have developed resources over time," Mayer said.
Piper said that taking such a substantial amount of drugs and these two individuals, whom he said he believes have been previously involved in this type of activity, off the street is a major accomplishment.
"Any time you interrupt a significant flow of drugs into our county, we consider that a success," Piper said.
Butler County Prosecutor Robin Piper said Johnson and Kelly each face two first-degree felonies for trafficking cocaine and possession of cocaine.
In addition to the penalties stemming from the felonies, Johnson and Kelly also face the possibility of additional charges due to their classification as Major Drug Offenders and other specifications that may cause modification to the sentences.
According to Piper, Johnson and Kelly face sentences ranging from eight to 40 years in prison due to the severity of the charges and the number of specifications involved.
Police are continuing to investigate the case and are not ruling out the possibility of more arrests, according to Mayer.
Both men were reportedly held on $1 million bond out of Fairfield Municipal Court.
Recent arrests and warrant services related to drugs and drug paraphernalia have also occurred in Oxford.
According to Oxford Police Department Sgt. Jim Squance, the number of warrants being served is due to a close relationship between Oxford Police Department and the Butler County Drug Task Force.
Butler County sheriff's deputies and Fairfield police arrested Sudinia Johnson, 34, of Hamilton and Otis Kelly, 40, of Fairfield Oct. 29 on the corner of Pleasant Avenue and Nilles Road in Fairfield.
According to Sgt. Monte Mayer of the Butler County sheriff's department, two vehicles were seized at the scene, with search warrants for the suspect's residences and a storage facility led to the seizure of three other vehicles.
One of the vehicles was reportedly equipped with an alarm-protected hydraulic system in the back seat in order to hide the illegal substances.
Mayer said the drugs are believed to be connected in some way to Mexican drug trafficking from a source in Chicago, although police have been unable to make the final connection to Mexico.
"Every indication shows that it came from Mexico," Mayer said.
Mayer said that the bust was a result of Butler County's well-developed Drug Task Force.
"We feel fortunate that our drug investigators have developed resources over time," Mayer said.
Piper said that taking such a substantial amount of drugs and these two individuals, whom he said he believes have been previously involved in this type of activity, off the street is a major accomplishment.
"Any time you interrupt a significant flow of drugs into our county, we consider that a success," Piper said.
Butler County Prosecutor Robin Piper said Johnson and Kelly each face two first-degree felonies for trafficking cocaine and possession of cocaine.
In addition to the penalties stemming from the felonies, Johnson and Kelly also face the possibility of additional charges due to their classification as Major Drug Offenders and other specifications that may cause modification to the sentences.
According to Piper, Johnson and Kelly face sentences ranging from eight to 40 years in prison due to the severity of the charges and the number of specifications involved.
Police are continuing to investigate the case and are not ruling out the possibility of more arrests, according to Mayer.
Both men were reportedly held on $1 million bond out of Fairfield Municipal Court.
Recent arrests and warrant services related to drugs and drug paraphernalia have also occurred in Oxford.
According to Oxford Police Department Sgt. Jim Squance, the number of warrants being served is due to a close relationship between Oxford Police Department and the Butler County Drug Task Force.
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