CITIZEN STAFF REPORT

PRESTONSBURG — Prestonsburg Police acted on a tip that led to a drug bust and three arrests Thursday.

Det. Brad Caldwell and Ptl. Dennis Hutchinson were investigating reports of a man known as “Florida Alexander” distributing dangerous drugs in Floyd, Johnson and Lawrence counties when they received a tip that he was at a convenience store on Ky. 321.

The officers located him inside a light blue Plymouth car and surrounded it.

The man, later identified as Franklin Penix, 26, of West Van Lear, was moving around erratically in the vehicle. When officers opened the car door, Penix had a large bag full of methamphetamine in his hand.

Police located 1.5 ounces of methamphetamine, 4.25 grams of fentanyl, various illegal pills, scales and paraphernalia inside the car.

Penix and two female passengers, Sarah Moore, 36, and Doris Strickland, 47, both of Louisa, were arrested and charged with trafficking meth, opiates and fentanyl, tampering with physical evidence and promoting contraband.

“We are absolutely not going to tolerate this poison in our community,” Police Chief Randy Woods said. “We’re going to build strong cases that will hold water and send the dealers to prison and get the users the help they need and deserve.”