Laurel Co. Sheriff’s K-9 unit makes first drug bust

Less than a week on the job, Laurel County Sheriff’s K-9, Edge, scored his first drug bust Wednesday morning during a traffic stop in north Corbin.

According to Laurel County Sheriff John Root, Edge alerted to the presence of methamphetamine inside a black colored Jeep Cherokee in which 30-year-old Greg Bateman of Lily was a passenger and deputies discovered a small amount of the drug in Bateman’s possession.

“That really shows the expertise of the dog for it to detect that small of an amount,” said Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, the department’s public affairs officer.

Deputy Sgt. Larry Parrott initiated the traffic stop about 2:33 a.m. after seeing that the Jeep had no working taillights.

Edge’s handler, Deputy Daniel Grigsby arrived on the scene to back up Parrott during the stop.

Root stated that Parrott noticed the driver, identified as 29-year-old Geneva Ledington of London, appeared to be under the influence of either alcohol or drugs.

“She admitted to taking hydrocodone approximately four hours earlier,” Root stated.

Acciardo said Grigsby had Edge with him when he got out of his cruiser at the scene and Edge hit on the vehicle.

Bateman was charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine.

“It shows we have a good working dog,” Acciardo said noting the amount of methamphetamine was small enough to legally be considered for personal use.

Ledington was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence – second offense and no tail lamps.

Bateman and Ledington were lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center.