Pulaski County deputies shut down third drug house in one week

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

PULASKI COUNTY, Il. (KBSI) — Pulaski County deputies shut down another suspected drug house Monday night, marking the third such operation in the county within the past week.

According to the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, members of the Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group, along with sheriff’s deputies and the Special Response Team, executed a drug-related search warrant at a residence in Pulaski County.

Investigators said they seized fentanyl, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, a firearm and an improvised explosive device during the operation.

Four people were taken into custody and transported to the Pulaski County Detention Facility. Authorities said charges being pursued include drug trafficking, possession of illegal narcotics, distribution of illegal narcotics and probation violations.

Sheriff Stacy Ball said Pulaski County has long struggled with methamphetamine and fentanyl, but under his leadership deputies have taken a more aggressive and proactive approach to narcotics investigations.

Ball said many investigations begin with tips from the community and can often lead investigators to larger drug distribution networks.

“These drugs… they’re killing our families,” Ball said.

He said the impact stretches beyond the drug houses themselves, affecting neighborhoods, families and people struggling with addiction.

Ball also said the sheriff’s office is focused not only on removing drugs from the streets, but also on connecting people with rehabilitation and counseling services through the jail’s reintegration program.

“If they’re selling drugs, I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again — we’re going to find them, and we’re going to put them in jail,” Ball said.

Authorities say additional investigations and operations are ongoing.