HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Police arrested nine people in Huntington Wednesday during a targeted drug bust.
The Huntington Police Department SWAT Team executed a search warrant in 400 block of West 18th Street and located eight of the nine inside the residence. The ninth arrest was made in an adjacent parking lot.
According to Huntington Police Chief Phil Watkins, investigators recovered a large quantity of crack cocaine, fentanyl, cash, and “materials used in the manufacturing and distribution of illegal narcotics.” Two firearms were also recovered during the operation.
The list of arrests and charges are as follows:
- Terry Sky Hansard, also known as “Jackboy,” 25, of Columbus, Ohio, has been charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver a controlled substance and one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
- Lamaurice Cox, also known as “LA,” 20, of Columbus, Ohio, has been charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver a controlled substance and one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
- Dajaun Deion Reid, also known as “Money,” 20, of Columbus, Ohio, has been charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver a controlled substance and one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
- Justin Dan Wiley, 34, of Huntington, has been charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance with Intent to deliver a controlled substance.
- Matthew Chadd Searls, 33, of Huntington, has been charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
- Priscilla Lula Merritt, 39, of Huntington, has been charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver a controlled substance and one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
- Austin John Weekley, 21, of Huntington, has been charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver a controlled substance and one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
- Jamie Kay Parsons, 44, of Huntington, has been charged with one felony count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and was also arrested on outstanding warrants.
- Joshua Aaron Ryan, 24, of Huntington, has been charged with one misdemeanor count of obstructing an officer and one misdemeanor count of person prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Huntington Mayor Patrick Farrell, who was on MetroNews Midday Thursday, said he hopes these arrests will lead to more.
“That’s nine more people that are off the streets right now,” Farrell said. “As we continue to peel that onion back and try to find those sources, we’re going to ultimately get to them and make Huntington safer.”
Farrell also credited the law enforcement for weeks of work and effort that went into this bust.
“They’re at it every day and they don’t get a lot of praise. I’m proud for when they have a big buff like this,” Farrell said.
“Long before these headlines hit, there is just quiet, relentless work by our officers, by our partners, pushing back against the drug traffickers so that we can take our neighborhoods back and keep things safe,” he continued.