That investigation culminated in the arrest of six people last Wednesday on federal drug charges and one on state charges. The case also resulted in the huge seizure of drugs according to Morganfield Assistant Police Jeffery W. Hart

"This is the largest seizure of drugs in the city's history with a street value of over $113,000, Hart said.

"Seized in the raid was a number of firearms, a significant quantity of crack cocaine and powdered cocaine and (several pounds of) marijuana," Hart said.

"Approximately $30,000 in cash was also recovered and asset forfeiture will occur on a number of vehicles and homes," Hart added.

Those arrested in the raid were:

-- Christopher "Chill" Frazier 26, of Morganfield

-- Ronald "Bobo" Garnett, 48, Morganfield

-- James "Big Billy" Harris, 35, Morganfield

-- Rashid Holder, 22, Morganfield

-- Lawrence "Goo" McGuire, 29, Morganfield

-- Donald Smith, 24, Morganfield

-- Jhamala L. Taylor, 26, Sturgis was arrested on state charges of possession of a controlled substance, first degree, first offense-cocaine. She was arrested in the home of Lawrence McGuire and a substance which field tested positively for cocaine was found on Taylor.

Monica Wheatley, acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky officially announced the arrest of the six Morganfield men on federal charges.

"Authorities arrested six Morganfield men on warrants issued for a variety of federal drug trafficking and firearms violations and seized approximately 130 grams of cocaine; 70 pounds of marijuana and $29,390 in cash," Wheatley said.

"All six men face substantial terms in the federal penitentiary without the possibility of probation or parole. The maximum statutory sentence range from 20 years to life imprisonment," Wheatley said.

Both Hart and Wheatley said the arrests were the result of a 20-month investigation into cocaine and marijuana trafficking in and around the Dunbar Heights federal housing area in Morganfield.

The law enforcement operation was conducted jointly by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); Kentucky State Police; Union County Sheriff's office; and the Morganfield Police Department.

"This effort is a prime example of the manner in which local, state and federal law enforcement can most effectively use our collective resources and experience to fight crime in the Western District of Kentucky," Wheatley commented.

The six Morganfield men are being held in federal custody.

A hearing was scheduled to be held yesterday at the Federal Courthouse in Owensboro at which time the United States Attorney will request that the defendants be ordered detained pending trial.

Hart said the investigation continues.

"This investigation began in January 2002. It started as a local investigation here at the Morganfield Police Department into organized drug trafficking here in Morganfield," Hart told The Union County Advocate.

"It quickly became apparent that this involved large quantities of narcotics coming into Morganfield and subsequently supplying the tri-county area and several cities in southern Illinois," the assistant chief added.

"The initial investigative task forces comprised of members of our police department, the sheriff's office and the state police. After consulting with the U.S. attorney, a member of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms was added to the team. Two assistant U.S. Attorneys were assigned--one specializing in narcotics prosecutions and one in firearms violations," Hart said.

"During the course of the investigation we purchased large quantities of narcotics from a number of individuals. Also purchased were firearms and military issue body army also known as a FLAK jacket."

Hart said the officers who took part in the raid received assistance from the West Virginia and Mississippi Air National Guards with air surveillance.

The arrest pleased Mayor Jerry Freer, but he said the police here will not stop or slow down their fight against illegal drug traffic.

"We'll keep working on it. There are still more warrants to be served, they just haven't found the subjects," Mayor Freer added.

"People don't realize how much work, effort, time and taxpayers dollars went into this investigation. If anyone saw the officers going down there Wednesday morning they would have to say it was impressive," the mayor added.