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Last updated on Tuesday, September 13, 2016
(UNDATED) - On Friday at approximately 6:25 p.m. Martin County Sheriff Roush, Major Burkhardt, Reserve Deputy Wright, ICO Eric Doane acted on information that a sizable amount of meth was entering Martin County for the purpose of distribution.
The officers set up surveillance and stopped a vehicle driven by 43-year-old John F. Kidwell and 40-year-old Crystal D. Walker, both of Bedford, on a county road East of Shoals.
Major Burkhardt employed his certified K9 Officer Asher to conduct a free air sniff of the vehicle. Asher crawled under the front of the vehicle to indicate a presence of drugs. The officers searched the vehicle, and near the engine found approximately two ounces of meth and approximately 1 gram of what is suspected to be heroin.
At this point Sheriff Roush contacted Detective Chris Roberts of the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office's Drug Task Force, to secure a search warrant for the suspect's home in Lawrence County. A search warrant was subsequently gained, and the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office secured more amounts of meth and heroin.
On Saturday a subsequent investigation led the Martin County Sheriff's Office to organize another interdiction operation.
At approximately 6:15 p.m. 38-year-old Jason Wilson of Gosport and 37-year-old Sarah Smith of Martinsville entered a perimeter that was formed around a shelter house in the Martin State Forest, East of Shoals.
Sheriff Roush and Chief Greene identified the suspected drug traffickers in the shelter house parking lot upon entering. The Sheriff and Chief Deputy presented themselves as law enforcement and ordered them to exit the vehicle.
A few moments later, ISP Trooper Lents, Major Burkhardt, and Reserve Deputy John Wright arrived to aid in securing the two.
Major Burkhardt employed his certified K9 Asher to conduct a free air sniff of the vehicle. Asher indicated on the rear driver side door. During the search a quarter of a pound of meth was found in the floorboard of the rear driver side seat.
All four suspects were arrested on charges of dealing meth, a Level 2 felony; possession of meth, a Level 2 felony; maintaining a common nuisance a Level 6 felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor, and booked into the Martin County Jail.
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