Sheriff Scott Simms said Monday in a press release that a major crack cocaine drug bust at 1419 Kanawha St., Point Pleasant, resulted in the arrest of three people who were charged with possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver crack cocaine.
Those arrested were Sharon G. “Big Baby” Hurt, 35, of Columbus, Ohio, and Walter C. Smith, 54, and Everett A. Hunter, both of Point Pleasant.
The arrest was a result of a search warrant the sheriff’s department executed early Sunday in which deputies found 20 grams of crack cocaine that is worth over $4,000, several thousands of dollars in cash and a pistol, Simms said.
The investigation into the three began after a routine traffic stop in Ohio.
On Saturday, the Ohio Highway Patrol made the traffic stop, which resulted in information being passed to the Mason County Sheriff’s Department, Simms said.
“We joined with the Ohio Highway Patrol and the Gallia County Police Department to compare our investigations and gather additional information,” he said.
The investigation allowed the officers to get the search warrant.
“I consider this to be a major drug bust,” Simms said. “’Big Baby’ was a big player in the crack cocaine drug trade in Mason County.”
“This is a good example of well-trained, qualified law enforcement officer doing good police work,” he added. “The Mason County Sheriff’s Department continues to work with other police departments and working together is what it takes to get the job done.”
All three were arraigned before Magistrate Cheryl Ross, who set bond at $10,000 for each. They were then taken to the Western Regional Jail in Barboursville.
This was not the only crack cocaine arrest over the weekend.
Around 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Senior Deputy Billy Gritt was making a routine traffic stop in Point Pleasant, Simms said. It was discovered that the driver was operating the vehicle on a suspended driver’s license. Upon further investigation, it was decided to use the K-9 unit.
Simms said the K-9 unit, Max, had indicated that there were illegal drugs in the car and a search of the vehicle was conducted. Three grams of crack cocaine, worth $600, were discovered and seized by the Sheriff’s Department.
Gritt then arrested Randi L. Morgan, 26, of Gallipolis, on a charge of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver-crack cocaine.
“The Mason County Sheriff’s Department is operating an aggressive anti-drug campaign in Mason County,” Simms said. “This is another example of the deputies’ commitment to arresting drug dealers in our county.”
Morgan appeared before Ross, who set bond at $10,000. She was then transported to the Western Regional Jail.
Though the sheriff’s department has made numerous drug arrests this year, these four people are just part of the drug dealers that they have been arresting.
Last month, while executing a search warrant, deputies found over $22,000 worth of heroin and crack cocaine. Earlier in the spring, at least five people were arrested county-wide in operation “Clean Sweep.”
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