Six arrested in two-state drug trafficking investigation

Six people were arrested and 278 grams of methamphetamine were recovered in a month-long drug trafficking investigation for activity in Kentucky and Illinois.

The McCracken County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday that multiple investigations were begun in June into meth trafficking throughout both states.

Detectives identified 55-year-old Richard Joiner of Brookport as a significant source of supply for meth.

Investigators determined Joiner was distributing ounce quantities of methamphetamine in both Kentucky and Illinois.

Detectives conducted a controlled purchase of 83 grams of meth from Joiner in McCracken County, then obtained an arrest warrant.

The Massac County Sheriff's Office arrested Joiner on the outstanding Kentucky warrant. He was extradited to McCracken County on Monday and lodged in the McCracken County Regional Jail.

Joiner, who has an extensive criminal history, is charged with trafficking in methamphetamine and remains incarcerated.

On Tuesday, detectives executed three search warrants as part of separate narcotics investigations, resulting in the arrests of five additional individuals.

Detectives executed a search warrant at 1135 Tenne Vue Drive in McCracken County.

During the search, detectives arrested 47-year-old Laronda Winstead and 45-year-old Michael Ward after recovering approximately 15 grams of meth, digital scales, smoking pipes, and other items commonly associated with the trafficking of illegal narcotics.

Winstead has multiple prior convictions for drug trafficking.

Later detectives executed a search warrant at a hotel located on Cairo Road . During the search, detectives arrested 41-year-old Jacob Ormes of Paducah, who was wanted in Illinois on a failure to appear warrant.

Ormes was also charged after detectives recovered approximately 60 grams of methamphetamine, marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms, and assorted drug paraphernalia indicative of drug trafficking from his hotel room.

The investigations continued late into the evening when detectives executed a third search warrant at an apartment on Holt Road.

Detectives arrested 42-year-old Cory Daniels and 38-year-old Laura Shelby after recovering approximately 120 grams of methamphetamine and $4,680 in currency believed to be proceeds from illegal drug trafficking.

Daniels has prior convictions for trafficking in methamphetamine and was on probation at the time of his arrest.

Additional arrests and charges are possible.