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Deputies, others conduct drug raids
Officers arrest two men on drug charges Thursday, October 2, 2008, at Po-Boys Tires in Huntington.
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HUNTINGTON -- Cabell County Sheriff's deputies and other authorities targeted drugs and recent metal thefts Thursday.
The joint effort targeted 13 suspects, who were arrested on a total of 20 warrants alleging drug and firearm violations.
Authorities had arrested nine targeted suspects as of 6 p.m.
The raids led to authorities confiscating more than $4,000 in cash and pills. The undercover investigation involved the illegal sale of cocaine, heroin and pills.
Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Jim Scheidler said the three-month investigation followed a rash of reported thefts in the Pea Ridge area. Stolen items included metal and catalytic converters.
None of the suspects was charged with those property crimes, but Scheidler believed they will provide valuable information.
"Even though some have been arrested in (Huntington), we still feel there are strong ties to the county," he said. "We're going to continue this county-city drug effort in unity."
The raid included the Sheriff's Drug Enforcement Unit, U.S. Marshals Service, Cabell County Home Confinement and Cabell County Prosecutor's Office. Members of the Huntington Violent Crime Drug Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms' River Cities Gun Crime Task Force also participated.
The first raid targeted two men about 3:30 p.m. at Po Boys Used Tires along Hal Greer Boulevard. Kevin Mays and Timothy Ash were charged with drug trafficking, said Sheriff's Lt. Mike Clark.
The deputies said they confiscated Ash's sport-utility vehicle, along with $3,287 cash and four types of pills. Clark said Thursday's drug seizure would result in additional charges for Ash.
Deputies closed the used tire retailer because the owners could not be located. Clark said one of the undercover transactions occurred at the business.
Bruce White of Chesapeake, Ohio, witnessed the Hal Greer Boulevard raid and applauded the law enforcement effort.
"It's great," he said. "That's where they need to be -- off the street. They shouldn't be on that stuff. It ruins everybody."
Authorities also targeted a couple at 1904 1/2 Marcum Terrace. Brandon Thompson and Leila Aylor were charged with multiple drug trafficking violations and stolen firearm allegations, Clark said.
The joint effort confiscated $852 cash from the Marcum Terrace residence, Clark said.
Thompson and Aylor denied the allegations. Thompson told police "I never sold any drugs."
Later raids targeted a restaurant and car wash along U.S. 60 in Barboursville, along with Hite Avenue in Huntington.
Authorities arrested Craig Adkins Jr. and Jack R. Smith at the Hooters restaurant. Adkins was charged with drug trafficking, while Smith faces a firearms charge. Police believe drugs were sold out of the restaurant, Clark said.
Johnny A. Clay of Martha was arrested at the Moore's Car Wash in Barboursville. He faces drug trafficking allegations, Clark said. He is also wanted on a fugitive warrant in Kentucky.
Timothy Paul Watts was arrested at his residence in the 2800 block of Hite Avenue. He faces drug trafficking charges.
