BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

TOMAHAWK — A months-long investigation into drugs and weapons trafficking in Martin County culminated Friday morning in the arrest of two people, authorities said.

Acting on a federal warrant, officers from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, the Kentucky State Police Drug Enforcement Investigations Unit, the U.S. Marshals Service, the FBI and local Child Protective Services descended on a home on Mary Perry Road around 10 a.m., according to Chief Deputy Sheriff Chris Kidd.

The investigation, described by the sheriff’s office as “long and strenuous,” involved undercover purchases of both drugs and weapons from Jimmy Cornette, 60, of Tomahawk.

Law enforcement took Cornette into custody without incident and transferred him to the U.S. Marshals Service.

Inside the home, officers found Kasandra Hamilton, 33, of Tomahawk, with a 4-month-old child. Kidd said the infant was within reach of suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Deputy Kidd arrested Hamilton on charges of endangering the welfare of a minor, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Authorities transported her to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center.

Child Protective Services removed the juvenile from the residence to seek alternative safe placement.

Local authorities who carried out the investigation include Sheriff John Kirk, Deputy Kidd, KSP Detective Dustin Thompson and KSP Detective Brad Martin.

Deputy Kidd expressed thanks on behalf of himself and Sheriff Kirk to all agencies involved in the case.