Lexington police say they began wrapping up a nine-month long investigation last week, focusing on illegal drug activity in the east end of downtown Lexington.
So far, police say the operation called “Operation Transformation,” has led to a total of 55 arrests, with six sealed indictments pending.
“This investigation has been essential in addressing the violence we have seen most recently,” said Police Chief Ronnie Bastin. “We find that in a majority of situations where gun violence is involved, illegal drugs have played a role.”
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Mayor Jim Gray praised police for getting out in front of the problem.
“The message today is clear: Police are well trained, well equipped and well staffed … they are getting criminals and illegal drugs off the streets,” said Mayor Jim Gray.
Operation Transformation, which began last October, builds upon three previous investigations, with a focus on street-level drug trafficking. In phase one – Oct. 2013 through April 2014 – police say they made 25 arrests, mostly of people who were selling crack cocaine; and conducted 11 field interviews.
In phase two, 18 arrests were made and, with the scope of the investigation expanding, 44 field interviews were conducted. One focus of phase two was some of the businesses where drugs were being bought and sold, police said.
On July 17, officers served 11 of 17 sealed indictments that had been issued by a Grand Jury as a result of phase three of Operation Transformation. The indictments included 25 charges of first degree trafficking in a controlled substance, eight persistent felony offenders and two first degree counts of possession of a controlled substance. Police have served 11 of the indictments so far and made 13 arrests.
As a result of these several investigations over the past 2 years, police say they have made 291 arrests and seized $615,000 worth of drugs and cash.
