LAWRENCE COUNTY - MARCH 14, 2023 - A traffic stop and search warrant on Tuesday afternoon resulted in a drug investigation and the arrest of two Bedford residents.
The Lawrence County Sheriff's Department and Indiana State Police received reports that Andrew Hsu, 23, Bedford, and Samantha Gerkin 26, Bedford, were dealing large amounts of fentanyl pills, cocaine, fentanyl powder, and marijuana in Lawrence County.
The Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section, Indiana State Police Bloomington District A.C.E.S. and Lawrence County Sheriff's Department launched an investigation.
On Tuesday, investigators had information the two were traveling to Louisville, KY to pick up more illegal substances for distribution.
At 1:45 pm undercover detectives observed Gerkin driving a Cheverolet Tracker northbound on Indiana State Road 37 near Mitchell with Hsu as her passenger.
Indiana State Trooper Chance Humprey, and Lawrence County Sheriff Sgt. Lonnie Johnson stopped the vehicle on Indiana State Road 37 near Doc Hamiliton Blvd.
Lawrence County K-9 Officer Andrew Phillips deployed his K-9 Scout which gave a positive alert to the Prescence of illegal substances in the vehicle.
In the search of the vehicle, it revealed the two were in possession of 7 grams of fentanyl, numerous of "Blue Roxy" Roxycodone fentanyl pills, approximately 28 grams of marijuana and $3,000 in U.S. currency and a loaded 9 mm handgun.
Investigators applied for and granted a search warrant for the residence ot the couple in the 2300 block of L Street in Bedford.
Drug Enforcement Section detectives, Sheriff Greg Day, Lawrence County Sheriff Officer Brenton Trueblood, and Indiana State Trooper Kent Rohlfing executed the search warrant.
The search of the residence, officers located approximately 22 grams of cocaine, 1 gram of fentanyl, dozens of "Blue Roxy" Roxycodone, fentanyl pills, approximately one gram of marijuana, two 9 mm handguns, and approximately another $3,000 in US currency.
Both were arrested and taken to the Lawrence County Jail for dealing in cocaine or narcotic drug over 10 grams, (Level 2 felony), possession of cocaine or narcotic drug over 28 grams, (Level 3 Felony), and maintaining a common nuisance.
Sheriff Day praised the work of the investigators in making the arrests. " We all know that our county is suffering way too many overdose deaths due to the influx of fentanyl and the "Blue Roxy" fentanyl pills, I just cannot say how dangerous these things are to our community. I am grateful that the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office has such a great working relationship with the Indiana State Police,"
Anyone with illegal drug activity information can contact the Lawrence County Sheriff Department at 812 - 275-3316, Indiana State Police Bloomington Post District # 33 at 812-332-4411 or the Lawrence County Prosecutor's TIP Line at 812-545-4700 or email drugactivity@lawrencecounty.in.gov all calls are confidential.
For breaking news, news and information go to lczephyr.org or like/follow the Lawrence County Facebook page.
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