Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies arrested three people Wednesday morning after discovering more than 2 pounds of crystal methamphetamine inside their vehicle during a traffic stop in north Corbin.
Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, the department’s public affairs officer stated that Detectives Bryon Lawson and James Sizemore initiated the traffic stop off of Ky. 770 near Exit 29 on a 2004 Cadillac Escalade.
Detectives targeted the vehicle based on information developed through the course of a joint investigation with the London office of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Law enforcement recovered the drugs in two separate bundles, each wrapped in cellophane. Each bundle had “Rolex” written in red.
“We don’t know what that refers to,” Acciardo said.
When the bundles were opened, Acciardo said law enforcement found a layer of gooey lubricant, underneath of which were the drugs.
“We think it was to throw the scent off if a K-9 was trying to detect it,” Acciardo said.
James L. Coulter, 39, of Louisville, Robert A. Thornsberry, 40 of Shepherdsville, and Stephanie J. Richard, 32, of Lebanon Junction, are each facing federal charges of possession with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine.
“This is the largest single crystal methamphetamine bust in my eight years at the sheriff’s department,” Acciardo said noting the case has been taken to federal court because of the amount of drugs involved.
When asked if further arrests were expected, Acciardo would only say, “The investigation is continuing.”
Detectives were assisted in the investigation and arrests by: Sheriff John Root, Major Chuck Johnson, Captain Kevin Berry, Lt. Robbie Grimes, Detective Sgt. Chris Edwards, Sgt. Brett Reeves, Detective John Wright, Detective Kyle Gray, Deputy Landry Collett, Deputy Jake Miller and K-9 “Gotcha”, Deputy Jamie Etherton, Detective Brad Mitchell and the London office of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The vehicle has been seized.
