Drug Investigations

The Huntington Police Department Drug Unit is a five man unit that consists of one Sergeant and four Detectives. The goal of the Drug Unit is to investigate and dismantle the full structure of the drug trafficking organizations in the Huntington area. This ranges from the street level prostitutes and user/ dealers, to the supply side of the organizations which imports drugs from several out of state and even out of country locations.

During the year 2007, the HPD Drug Unit conducted several long term investigations, one of which was the arrest and prosecution of members of the Donald Wilson Drug Trafficking Organization. This Organization had operated in the Huntington area for approximately 10 years and was responsible for multiple kilos of cocaine and crack cocaine, and an unknown amount of heroin originating from Detroit, Michigan. During the investigation, several firearms were also seized. The Unit also participated in another large scale multi-agency, Title III Wiretap Investigation, targeting cocaine and crack cocaine dealers from Detroit, Michigan. The investigation resulted in the seizure of 16 firearms, 1112 grams of cocaine and crack
cocaine, and over $13,000 in cash. The Drug Unit has organized other large scale multiagency arrest/ drug warrant operations. HPD utilized Officers and Agents from the FBI, DEA, US Marshals, State Police, Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, Barboursville Police Department, and Marshall University Police Department to help make these operations successful.

Undercover prostitution operations were also conducted resulting in approximately 44 prostitution arrests.

The HPD Drug Unit also participated in the arrest of numerous violent crime offenders. This includes the arrest of Joshua Paholsky and Anthony Workman who were responsible for several armed robberies. The Unit also worked along with Detective Cass McMillian, in an undercover operation resulting in the arrest of Christopher Breeding for Bank Robbery. The Unit also cultivated a confidential informant that assisted in the identification and arrest of Quinton Peterson for the murder of Phillip Sermons. Due to the intelligence gathered by Drug Unit Detectives, the Unit is able to assist other Officers in identifying and locating suspects in a wide variety of crimes. The quadruple homicide on Charleston Avenue in May of 2005 remains a top priority of the Detectives. Toward the end of 2007, Huntington experienced a rapid influx of heroin and a rash of heroin related deaths. The Drug Unit is currently working full time on this investigation.

At this time, one Detective is assigned to the Huntington Violent Crimes and Drug Task Force. Another one is assigned to the DEA Task Force, based out of Charleston WV. The DEA also has an agent working within the HPD Drug Unit. The Unit frequently works jointly with other agencies in the local area and out of state.
During 2007, the HPD Drug Unit was responsible for seizure of the following items:

4744.2 grams of marijuana,
1115 grams of crack cocaine
13 grams of heroin
40 firearms
$31,825 cash
4 vehicles