CITIZEN STAFF REPORT

The Kentucky State Police arrested 197 individuals and seized more than $640,000 worth of illegal drugs as part of its Operation Summer Heat 2.0, officials said Friday.

All 16 KSP posts participated in the statewide drug sweep.

Troopers issued 490 charges and removed significant quantities of dangerous narcotics from the streets. Combined the KSP seized 3,002 grams of fentanyl, 1,176 grams of cocaine, 6,046 grams of methamphetamine, 408 grams of heroin, 600 fentanyl pills, 97 hydrocodone doses, 127 oxycodone doses and 67 doses of hallucinogens. Additionally, troopers confiscated 82 firearms, $181,381 in cash, and $200,000 worth of stolen property. They also recovered a stolen vehicle.

KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. said the mission was about disrupting the criminal enterprises that threaten safety and health.

“I am proud of our personnel who worked tirelessly to take these dangerous drugs off the streets and who will continue working to keep every community safe,” Burnette said.

Arrests occurred in every KSP district, with Post 9 in Pikeville and Post 4 in Elizabethtown reporting the most at 30 each.

Post 2 in Madisonville followed with 21 arrests, while Post 14 in Ashland reported 16 and Post 3 in Bowling Green accounted for 15. Post 15 in Columbia recorded 14 arrests and Post 11 in London had 12. Posts 7 in Richmond and 16 in Henderson each made 11 arrests and Post 5 in Campbellsburg reported 10. Post 1 in Mayfield and Post 8 in Morehead each logged seven arrests, while Post 6 in Dry Ridge made six.

Smaller numbers came from Post 10 in Harlan with four arrests, Post 12 in Frankfort with two and Post 13 in Hazard with one.

Last year’s Operation Summer Heat produced 206 arrests and seized nearly $685,000 in drugs.

The operation remains ongoing and police say more arrests are coming.

The KSP urges anyone with information related to drug activity to contact their local KSP post or submit an anonymous tip through the agency’s website.