LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) -- Louisville Metro Narcotics Agents made a major drug bust involving six suspects and hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of narcotics.
Police say the suspects were bringing in Opana, ecstasy and heroin from Detroit and distributing it throughout the Louisville area.
'The ecstasy pills seized 5,106 with a street value of about $35,742. We had 1,491 Opana with a street value of approximately $89,000,' said LMPD Narcotics Lt. Rich Pearson.
Pearson said the drugs had been flowing for months from Detroit to a quiet suburban neighborhood near Jeffersontown.
There, officers say Mahogany Calvin, Joseph Thompson, Reginald Forsythe, Darion Thodile, Gavin Antoine and Troy Morris distributed them throughout Louisville. Apparently while driving a Bentley, a Hummer, a Porshe and other luxury cars.
The value of the vehicles alone was approximately a quarter of a million dollars.
During the bust police also seized a handgun, heroin, cash and other drugs.
Police say Reginald Forsythe was the ring leader.
'He masterminded the operation of the drugs being transported from Detroit back to Louisville, then he was in charge of the distribution process once they reached Louisville,' said Pearson.
Opana has been a major problem in Louisville in the past 18 months, causing dozens of overdose deaths and leading to multiple pharmacy robberies and other crimes.
Police hope yesterday's bust will help clean up the streets.
'I would say it's a very large dent. It's not gonna completely stop the problem, but it's a very large dent. As I said, we took almost 1,500 Opana off the street and they have a street value of upwards of $60 per pill,' said Pearson.
Police say neighbors applauded when the suspects were taken into custody, so apparently, they were causing more than a few quality of life issues in the neighborhood.
The suspects were also believed to have operated out of an extended stay hotel on Hurstbourne Lane.
