Most Significant Drug Seizure in Owensboro History

An Owensboro Drug Trafficking Organization is behind bars and charged with multiple felonies after being caught with 151 pounds of methamphetamine, 3.5 pounds of counterfeit pills with suspected deadly fentanyl, and other drugs, announced United States Attorney Russell Coleman.

According to the criminal complaints, between January 6, 2021, and January 11, 2021, Willie Watkins, age 30 of Owensboro, Kentucky coordinated the purchase of approximately 150 pounds of suspected methamphetamine with an unidentified male, located in the Los Angeles, California area, and counterfeit pills containing suspected fentanyl from a source in the Phoenix, Arizona area.

Based on the evidence obtained Christopher McNary, age 31 of Owensboro, Kentucky, Richard Cason, age 29 of Owensboro, Kentucky, Keith Watkins, age 28 of Owensboro, Kentucky, and Samuel White, age 27 of Owensboro, Kentucky were also charged in a second criminal complaint with conspiring with each other and others to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture of a substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and 400 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl.

The potential penalty for the offense charged is a prison term of 10 years to life, a fine of not more than $10,000,000, and not less than 5 years of supervised release.

We are so proud of our law enforcement, along with state and community leaders!

“Traffickers should take heed to keep their poison out of Daviess County and the Western District of Kentucky,” said U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman “They disregard at their own peril as federal, state, and local law enforcement here stand united to take their dope and send them to federal prison. Stay tuned; more to come.”

“The Owensboro Police Department remains committed to getting narcotics and dangerous offenders off the streets of Owensboro.” Said Owensboro Police Chief Art Ealum. “This investigation is undoubtedly the most significant narcotics investigation in our department’s history, which speaks to the magnitude of the drug epidemic in the Owensboro Metropolitan Area. Our Street Crimes Unit, along with our federal and local partners, have worked tirelessly to take down this drug trafficking organization.”

Sheriff Keith Cain said, "This investigation is yet another example of the strong relationship that exists between local law enforcement and our federal partners. Both are equally committed to ridding our community of the scourge of organized drug trafficking and keeping our citizens safe."