KSP Raids Alleged Trace Fork Source

Several vigilant community members who were tired of alleged drug sales in their community helped members of the Kentucky State Police break up an operation on Trace Fork.

Troopers Dawson Duff, Corey Smoot, Matt Turner, and Dennis Howard, along with Constable Ronnie Begley, executed a search warrant on Saturday, March 14, at a home at 620 Trace Fork Road off Strong Fork.

According to arrest information, officers received information that alleged that twenty-eight-year-old Brandon Lee Craft “buys and sells marijuana and stores the product” at the Trace Fork address.  Based on the information received several weeks before the raid, Judge Gary Salyers read and approved a search warrant for the residence.

Officers raided the location at 7:03 p.m. Saturday and detained three adult males, including Craft.

During the search of the home, officers located a one-ounce bag of marijuana on the kitchen counter, scales, grinders, a freshly-used bong, a box of THC vape pens, numerous “roaches” of marijuana, and other baggies of marijuana containing more than 10 grams of the illegal drug. 

A 30-30 Marlin rifle was located in the closet.  Upon inspection, it was noted that the serial number had been removed by defacing the barrel.  Craft told officials that the weapon belonged to him and was a gift from his grandfather.

Troopers also located two safes and confiscated $11,778 in cash.  The search also collected Craft’s cell phone and two Night Owl security hard drives.

The evidence was catalogued and photographed as Brandon Craft was placed under arrest by Trooper Duff.

Troopers also noted that Craft was free on bond for a 2025 indictment in Scott County for Trafficking in Marijuana (greater than Five Pounds), and two driving violations.  Duff noted that possession of drugs at the 620 Trace Fork Road was a violation of his bonded release.

Craft was lodged in the Kentucky River Regional Jail on one count of Possession of a Defaced Firearm, one count of Possession of Marijuana (less than eight ounces), three counts of Drug Paraphernalia (Buy/Possess), and one count of Violation of Condition of Release.

He was arraigned before Judge Gary Salyers and released at 12:39 p.m.