HUNTINGTON -- Federal agents joined with local law enforcement this week to disrupt what they described as an eight-month drug conspiracy trafficking major amounts of crack cocaine and heroin into the Tri-State.

The extensive investigation led to a 10-count indictment Tuesday and three arrests a day later. Authorities also raided two residences Wednesday in Proctorville and Chesapeake, Ohio. They confiscated more than $105,000 in drugs, six firearms and $6,800 cash.

The hunt continued Thursday for three other suspects named in the federal indictment. At least 10 more people could face charges at a later date, said Huntington Police Lt. J.T. Combs.

The confiscated drug cache included 90 grams of uncut heroin, 150 grams of crack cocaine and three-quarters of a pound of marijuana, Combs said. He referred to those items as products of a major drug trafficking operation, which supplied drugs to addicts in West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio.

"This had the head guy, his lieutenants and little soldiers," Combs said. "We're trying to get the head of the monster first, and then we'll go after the other body parts."

Those arrested Wednesday were Noah Alexander "Real" Flora, 21; Jason P. "Biz" Belcher; and Leoditus A. "Leo" Smith.

Arrest warrants remain active for Kevin L. "KK" Robinson, Britton B. "Britto" Fiske and Steven T. Hester. Combs said each should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information about their whereabouts should call 304-781-8336.

The indictment was unsealed Wednesday with the arrests of Belcher and Smith. Authorities arrested Belcher at a gasoline station in Rome Township, Ohio; Smith outside of a discount retailer in Proctorville; and Flora at a residence in Huntington's Altizer neighborhood.

Heroin, crack cocaine and pills were taken from an apartment in Holiday Court, a complex along Private Drive 53 off of Ohio 7. Authorities also confiscated two firearms and $6,800 cash from the Proctorville residence, said Lawrence County Sheriff's Detective Aaron Bollinger, who also serves on the Lawrence Drug/Major Crimes Task Force.

Bollinger, a 10-year veteran at the Sheriff's Office, estimates it was the largest amount of uncut heroin confiscated during his tenure at the agency.

"These were major suppliers, but to say that it is unusual to have drugs in this area -- it is not. Drugs are rampant no matter where you go," he said. "Being that we're only bordered by a river, some feel that it is easier to hide in a more suburban type of community."

Combs said authorities took the marijuana and three firearms from the Chesapeake residence. Bollinger said it is located behind a motel near County Road 1 and Powell Hatten Avenue.

The sixth firearm was taken from Altizer.

All six defendants are named in the conspiracy charge. It states they conspired to distribute at least 50 grams of crack cocaine between October 2008 and June 4, 2009.

Robinson is the only defendant who escaped additional counts of drug distribution. Combs described him as the drug operation's leader.

Combs said Smith and Belcher served as lieutenants and the other three served underneath their command. Robinson and Smith hail from Columbus, Ohio. Combs said the others reside in the Tri-State.

Task forces led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives worked the case along with the Huntington Police Department, the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office and Lawrence Drug/Major Crimes Task Force.

Combs said the high-profile investigation received several thousand dollars in federal funds by its designation within the Appalachia High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. That supplied money for several undercover buys.

Those undercover drug buys led to additional charges for Flora, Friske, Smith, Belcher and Hester. Each was charged with distributing at least five grams of crack cocaine in or near Huntington.

Flora's name appeared most often in court documents. The indictment links him to buys Feb. 2, Feb. 5 and March 6.

Friske is linked to purchases on March 13 and March 19.

Smith's lone purchase was alleged to have occurred June 4, but the inclusion of heroin and crack cocaine meant two counts of distribution.

The indictment links Belcher to a Feb. 11 incident, while Hester was cited in an April 15 incident.

Detroit and Columbus, Ohio, have long been considered Huntington's top sources for drugs, but Combs declined comment when asked about this group's supply. He feared doing so would jeopardize the ongoing investigation.

Combs said authorities hope this indictment leads to more information about specific individuals supplying the group.

Belcher and Smith appeared before Magistrate Judge Maurice G. Taylor Jr. Wednesday. Flora appeared on Thursday.

Arraignment and detention hearings were scheduled for next week. All three were detained without bond.

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Federal agents joined with local law enforcement this week to disrupt what they described as an eight-month drug conspiracy trafficking major amounts of crack cocaine and heroin into the Tri-State. Those arrested Wednesday were, from left to right, Jason P. ÒBizÓ Belcher; Noah Alexander ÒRealÓ Flora, 21; and Leoditus A. ÒLeoÓ Smith.

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