Deputies make pair of weekend drug busts

Crystal Harrell was one of four people arrested during two separate drug raids Saturday evening by Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputies.

Whitley County sheriff’s deputies seized cash, marijuana, Suboxone films and drug paraphernalia while executing a pair of search warrants in the Savoy and Saxton communities Saturday evening.

Detective Derek Eubanks obtained the search warrants following an investigation into the illegal sale of narcotics, Sheriff Colan Harrell said in a release.

A total of four people were arrested in conjunction with the investigations.

The search warrants were obtained after officers made “controlled buys” at the residences, according to arrest citations.

About 8:22 p.m., police executed a search warrant at 1166 Highway 1804, which is located about nine miles south of Williamsburg and arrested three residents at the home, according to arrest citations.

Lisa Nanette Coffey, 50, Eugene Murray, 65, and Betty L. Murray, 60, were all charged with second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance-Suboxone.

Suboxone is a drug designed to treat opioid dependence but it is also commonly abused.

In addition, Coffey was also charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to her arrest citation, Coffey allegedly handed Suboxone strips to the person making the controlled buy.

Police allegedly recovered the “buy money” used to purchase the Suboxone strips from Eugene Murray’s wallet and found Suboxone strips in his bedroom, according to his arrest citation.

Suboxone strips and cash were also allegedly recovered from Betty Murray’s bedroom, according to her arrest citation.

All three were arrested at 9:30 p.m. and lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center.

At 10:40 p.m., deputies executed a second search warrant at R.D. Rains Road about two miles south of Williamsburg at the residence of Crystal Rapier Harrell, 35.

Harrell was charged with second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance-Suboxone, possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and for having a prescription controlled substance in an improper container.

According to her arrest citation, deputies allegedly made a “controlled buy” from Harrell and found Suboxone strips, marijuana, a Klonopin pill and cash at her residence.

She was arrested about 11:06 p.m. and lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center.

Coffey, Eugene Murray and Betty Murray were all released from jail about 1:30 p.m. Sunday on $7,500 surety bonds.

Crystal Harrell pleaded not guilty during her arraignment Tuesday morning before Whitley District Judge Fred White.

White set a $2,500 cash bond, appointed the public advocate’s office to represent Harrell and scheduled a March 28 preliminary hearing in the case.

Officers taking part in the investigations included: Sheriff Colan Harrell, acting Chief Deputy Tim Baker, Sgt. Kirk Mays and Eubanks.