CITIZEN STAFF REPORT

CANNONSBURG — Kentucky State Police apprehended a suspect involved in narcotics trafficking following a high-speed chase in Boyd County. The arrest of Benjamin Layne, 44, was a joint operation by the KSP Post 14 Ashland criminal interdiction team and their canine unit.

The incident unfolded Dec. 21 when troopers initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Layne. The vehicle subsequently evaded capture, leading to a high-speed pursuit. During the chase, troopers observed Layne throwing bags of narcotics out of the driver’s side window. The police later retrieved these bags.

Due to heavy traffic and high speeds, the police discontinued the pursuit. Shortly after they located the vehicle abandoned behind Walmart in Cannonsburg.

Troopers quickly set up a perimeter and deployed Canine Fabi to track the suspect to a wooded area near a residential property, where police apprehended him without incident.

Layne, now in custody at the Boyd County Detention Center, faces multiple charges, including speeding, reckless driving, wanton endangerment of a police officer, operating a motor vehicle under the influence, tampering with physical evidence, trafficking controlled substances (methamphetamine and heroin), fleeing or evading police in a motor vehicle and on foot, and an outstanding warrant for failure to appear.

Trooper Daniels is leading the ongoing investigation.

Boyd County EMS assisted at the scene.