When a joint task force of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Hopkins County Sheriff’s Department (HCS), the Madisonville Police Department (MPD) and the Kentucky State Police (KSP) brought down the largest synthetic drug ring in Western Kentucky, the net they cast netted two residents of Providence— Jeremy Jay Oglesby, 42, and Paula D. Oglesby, 35, both of 408 N. Broadway.
Law enforcement confiscated around a quarter of a million dollars worth of synthetic marijuana, hit 14 separate locations, three different banks and served 11 arrest warrants in two counties.
Hopkins County Sheriff Matt Sanderson said the DEA was in charge of the case during last week’s bust, and deferred all questions on the matter to the Madisonville Police Department.
The only problem, Hopkins County Deputies, Madisonville city police and State Police troopers raided the house in Providence without first notifying the Providence Police Department or the Webster County Sheriff. Although a legitimate practice that does happen from time to time when the KSP is involved, agencies generally expect a courtesy call when departments from other jurisdiction are coming into their area.
“I don’t care who gets the glory as long as we get the drugs off the street,” said Providence Police Chief Brent McDowell. “But there is still such a thing as professional courtesy.”
He added that his officers were already investigating synthetic drug related activity at the house on North Broadway when the bust took place.
Providence patrolman Josh Jackson was on duty when the task force arrived on Wednesday. Having noticed them preparing to approach the house, he arrived in time to offer his assistance to the out of town agencies.
McDowell said he was told that it was the DEA’s decision to not notify the Providence Police Department of the pending arrests.
It’s not an uncommon occurrence for outside agencies to cross county lines without first notifying local law enforcement. Last year when the KSP, the Evansville Police Department, the Vanderburg County Sheriffs Department and the US Marshals Service raided a house in Clay while searching for a fugitive, they did not notify Sheriff Frankie Springfield or Clay Police Chief Chris Evitts.
Reach MATT HUGHES
at 270-667-2068 or
matt@journalenterprise.com
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