CORBIN — By Jeff Noble / Staff writer

For 21 persons in and around Laurel County, their Friday morning wake-up call wasn’t a pleasant one.

During the frosty dawn hours, a large number of drug traffickers were rounded up and arrested in what Sheriff John Root called “a continuation on our War on Drugs.”

Four teams of Laurel County Sheriff’s Deputies, assisted by Kentucky State Police Troopers, London Police officers and deputy U.S. Marshalls made the raids, which began around 5:45 a.m. The teams were armed with 40 arrest warrants based on undercover investigations by Sheriff’s Detectives Brad Mitchell and Jason Back. Out of 40 warrants, the 21 arrested were charged with a variety of illegal drug trafficking and possession of drug offenses.

“It’s several months of work that our narcotics officers have done. We’re just getting the heat turned on them,” Root said as a group of suspects were brought into the Sheriff’s Office in London just after 8 a.m. At that time, about 10-12 suspects had already been apprehended and taken into custody.

Those arrested in Friday’s drug roundup were:

  Janice House, 60, Philpot Road, London, charged with 2nd Degree Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense.

Douglas House, 43, Philpot Road, London, charged with 2nd Degree Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense.

Patricia Webb, 61, Caleb Lane Apartments, Corbin, charged with 1st Degree Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense.

Melvin E. Mounts, 35, Caleb Lane Apartments, Corbin, charged with 1st Degree Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense and 3rd Degree Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense.

Debra Renee Vaughn, 29, South Kentucky Avenue, Corbin, charged with 1st Degree Possession of a Controlled Substance, 2nd Offense.

Tommy A. North, 32, VanZant Road, Lily, charged with 2nd Degree Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Lisa D. Whicker, 45, Highway 1064, Corbin, charged with 2nd Degree Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense and 3rd Degree Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense.

James P. Creech, 35, Corbin Manor Apartments, Corbin, charged with two counts of 1st Degree Trafficking in a Controlled Substance.

Jerry W. Wright, 57, Highway 1023, Lily, charged with 2nd Degree Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense.

  Wanda Sue Stidham, 56, East Laurel Road, London, charged with 2nd Degree Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 2nd Offense.

Phillip B. Stigall, 46, Keavy Road, London, charged with 2nd Degree Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense.

Patricia Collett, 50, Keavy Road, London, charged with 2nd Degree Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense.

Dora E. Stuntebeck, 47, Pleasant View Motor Home Park, London, charged with 1st Degree Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 2nd Offense.

Marty L. Sizemore, 49, Fariston Road, London, charged with 1st Degree Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense; 2nd Degree Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense and 3rd Degree Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense.

Don C. Wooton, 50, Tom Cat Trail, London, charged with Cultivating Marijuana (5 plants or more), 2nd Offense.

Terry E. Johnson, 50, Willie Green Road, London, charged with Cultivating Marijuana (less than 5 plants), 2nd Offense.

Linda Sue Johnson, 37, Watkins Branch, East Bernstadt, charged with two counts of 1st Degree Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense.

Bobby Sisco, 48, Old Richmond Road, East Bernstadt, charged with 1st Degree Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense.

Nancy Wagner, 38, Vermillion Drive, Corbin, charged with 2nd Degree Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense.

James E. Reed, 51, Miller Tilley, Science Hill, charged with 1st Degree Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1st Offense.

Jimmy Worthington, 28, Pepperhill Drive, London, charged with Trafficking in Marijuana (less than 8 ounces).

All were taken to the Laurel County Detention Center. Deputy Jailers with the Detention Center assisted the Sheriff’s Office on transporting the persons arrested.

Root said about the suspects rounded up early Friday morning, “These are the typical street drug dealers who do the typical street drugs. Most of these are prescription medications, the pain-killers. They get the buzz. … Most of these people are repeat offenders. They’re ‘frequent fliers,’ but we’re seeing some first-timers this time.”

He added one big reason for the sunrise raids was to catch those wanted off-guard.

“It’s the element of surprise. These people we caught up with are usually up all night and go to bed just before daybreak.”

Some of the suspects weren’t at home during the roundup, and are still being sought by the Sheriff’s Office. Spokesperson Deputy Gilbert Acciardo said once they’re arrested, the suspects’ names would be released.