MADISON, Ind. — Over two dozen people were arrested as part of a large-scale drug bust between southern Indiana and Kentucky.
Many of the Hoosiers charged in the investigation were from Madison, Indiana.
"It's probably been one of the largest drug busts with the most coordinated effort," Madison Mayor Bob Courtney said on Friday. Courtney said residents are feeling shock and relief in the historic town after a months-long drug investigation ended up sending 25 people to jail.
"Yesterday was a big win for our community, it really should slow the flow of of drug activity in our community for a while," he added.
Police said the investigation -- called Operation Iceberg -- began 8 months ago when authorities learned Christopher Dorten was a major meth supplier in Jefferson County, Ind.
"We're after the larger scale dealers," Indiana State Police Sgt. Stephen Wheeles said.
Dorten was also linked to sales in Louisville. Police said Dorten traveled to Louisville at least 65 times to get meth and cocaine from Darren Richardson. Police said that 34-year-old Richardson was arrested last month on a warrant charging him with conspiracy to deal meth and cocaine.
Richardson is now being held at Louisville Metro Corrections and is waiting to be extradited to Indiana.
"Who knows were else the individuals in Louisville were distributing drugs to?" Wheeles said. "But maybe we've cut that off."
Michelle Childress of Madison was also arrested during a search of her home -- an alleged site for Dorten's narcotic operation. The other 22 arrests happened on Wednesday.
"There is no community, literally in the United States, and in Indiana as well, that's immune from substance abuse issues that lead to drug related crime," Courtney said.
Police said Operation Iceberg is still ongoing.
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