An update from the Laurel County Sheriff’s Department:

 

Laurel County Sheriff John Root and London City Police Chief Chuck Johnson announce that: On 01-09-2023 the Laurel County Drug Interdiction Task Force conducted a traffic stop on a 2018 Nissan Pickup Truck at the southbound off ramp of exit 38 in London.  During the traffic stop officers observed paraphernalia, guns, and other items that led to the probable cause search of the vehicle. During the initial search, officers located approximately 5 ounces of methamphetamine concealed in the breather in the engine compartment. After developing more information, a search warrant was secured for the vehicle and it was searched again. The search revealed the presence of an additional approximately 14 ounces of methamphetamine concealed in the luggage rack on top of the pickup.

 

• Arrested – Owen Dewayne Mitchell age 49 of Rydell Rd., Corbin – Trafficking Meth

 

• Arrested – John Wesley Messer Jr. age 29 of Hall Circle, Gray  – Trafficking Meth

 

Both Lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center.

 

A 3rd  involved suspect who was identified through the continuing investigation was arrested on 1-11-2023 after fleeing from Tennessee  Highway Patrol driving a gray colored Nissan Frontier into Kentucky on I-75 and finally forced stopped in northern Whitley County near the Laurel County line. He is identified as :

 

• Woodburn J. Schlicht age 61 of Bee Creek Road, Corbin charged with Trafficking Meth.

 

He was lodged in the Whitley County Detention Facility.