Sheriff Bill Lewis said the undercover investigation began about 11 months earlier. Lewis said the sweep resulted in 31 counts of drug dealing including 28 felony counts and three misdemeanors.

Lewis said deputies got underway with Wednesday's sweep about 6:30 a.m. and continued throughout the day with deputies executing arrest and search warrants. He added that all the department's personnel were involved in the effort.

"This is the first drug trafficking roundup executed exclusively by the Lewis County Sheriff's Department independent of any assistance from other law enforcement agencies," Lewis said. "The operation was extremely successful."

Deputies Elden Riffe, Dwayne Stone and Jason Hill headed the extensive investigation, Lewis said, adding that County Attorney Clayton "Buddy" Lykins Jr. and Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Tom Bertram provided invaluable assistance in providing advice and preparing the arrest and search warrants.

He said Jeffrey Ginn, 54, had served as a deputy sheriff for 16 years under two administrations before Lewis took office in 1998.

A spokesman with the Lewis County Detention Center said Ginn, initially under a $73,000 cash only bond, was released Saturday morning on a reduced $58,000 cash or property bond.

The spokesman said other arrests and bond amounts included: Rodney Dean Corns, 28, of Vanceburg, $58,000; Kenneth "Sonny" Holland, 59, of Garrison, $48,000; Kippy Clark Sr. of Vanceburg, $48,000; Jacob Bentley, 24, of Quincy, $25,000; Billy Lightner, 29, of Vanceburg, $20,000; Todd Marshall, 19, $6,800; Charles Wayne Bentley, 25, of Garrison, $6,000; Tracy Rickett, 40, of Quincy, $6,000; Cassie Knox, 23, of Tollesboro, $6,000; Jodi Estes, 24, of Quincy, $5,000; Delilah Clark, 27, of Garrison, $5,000; and Doug Davis, 40, of Black Oak, $2,000.

"This investigation is one of several being conducted by the department to rid the ravages of drug trafficking and improve the quality of life in our community," Lewis said.

Meeting in a brief recessed session last Monday, November 22 the Lewis County Fiscal Court tabled the selection of insurance providers for the county for a week until a renewed recessed session set for 9:30 a.m. on Monday, November 29.

St. Paul Insurance represented by Ron LeMaster Insurance, Inc. and KACo (The Kentucky Association of Counties) are vying for the business.

Concern was especially expressed for inmates that appear to be suicidal. Participation in the Crisis Network is in conjunction with Comprehend of Maysville.

The court recessed the session until Monday, November 29.

Lewis County Vegetable Producers Association Inc. was approved for Lewis County funds to construct a permanent facility that will be available to Lewis County producers for the marketing of agricultural products.