MITCHELL – A high-stakes narcotics investigation culminated in a raid on a Mitchell residence Saturday, resulting in the seizure of a significant quantity of illegal drugs and the arrest of two individuals on multiple felony counts.
Cody Powell, 31, and Alicia Claffey, 48, of Mitchell, were taken into custody following the execution of a search warrant by the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department on March 28, 2026.
The investigation began when Deputy Augustus Hogan received anonymous information regarding a person with an active warrant. Once located, that individual turned informant, revealing a large-scale distribution operation at the State Road 60 address.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the informant claimed the residence moved between 12 and 14 ounces of methamphetamine per week. While in the presence of deputies, the informant communicated with an individual at the home who offered to sell three ounces of methamphetamine that evening for a transaction following a previous three-ounce sale less than 24 hours prior.
Armed with a search warrant issued by Superior Court II Judge Robert Cline, deputies arrived at the residence to find the front door barricaded from the inside with furniture. Entry was eventually gained by breaching a southeast door.
Inside, deputies detained Cody Powell in the downstairs living room and Alicia Claffey in an upstairs bedroom. An elderly female was also present in the home at the time of the raid.
The search of the home yielded a wide array of controlled substances and distribution materials:
| Location | Items Recovered | Testing/Weight |
| Upstairs (Claffey) | 3 bags of crystal substance | 73 grams of Methamphetamine |
| Marijuana & Syringes | Positive for THC | |
| Downstairs (Powell) | Black metal box with crystal substance | Black metal box with a crystal substance |
| White powder | 2 grams Cocaine | |
| Yellow and Purple powder | 2 grams of cocaine | |
| Green leafy substance | 50 grams of Marijuana (Total) | |
| Firearm | Smith & Wesson .38 Special |
Alicia Claffey reportedly cooperated during the search, directing Sgt. Robin Compton to the methamphetamine hidden under her mattress. In Powell’s room, deputies also discovered multiple spoons containing fentanyl residue and “corner-cut” baggies commonly used for individual drug sales.
Both Powell and Claffey face a litany of charges.
Both are facing charges of dealing meth, possession of meth, dealing cocaine or a narcotic drug (fentanyl and cocaine), possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, and unlawful possession of a syringe.
Powell is facing an additional enhancement for possessing a firearm as a serious violent felon.
Both defendants were transported to the Lawrence County Jail. The investigation also yielded information regarding another wanted individual in Louisville, Kentucky, which has been forwarded to the Louisville Metro Police Department.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the probable cause affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
