By GAGE WILSON
For Glasgow News 1
Cave City City Council members were treated to a rare inside look at how the Barren River Drug Task Force operates at Monday’s meeting. The agency primarily targets mid- to high-level drug traffickers rather than street-level users, a strategy that recently led to one of the largest seizures in the agency’s history.
Task Force Director Ron Lafferty told the council that while street-level cases remain common, his agency prioritizes dismantling the sources of drug supply entering the region. “There are a lot of ‘little’ users out here that we could go after,” Lafferty said. “But it does no good if you don’t go after the head of the snake.”
That philosophy was illustrated by a two-year, multi-state investigation that ended with the seizure of large quantities of drugs, ultimately bound for the Barren River area. Lafferty said the case began with a tip about an individual traveling to California to purchase illegal substances before bringing them back to Kentucky.
“The Barren River Drug Task Force, the FBI and the Warren County Task Force followed this individual to California and watched this person pick up a package,” he said. “On their way back we stopped them.”
While much of the case remains sealed, Lafferty said the arrest led to the seizure of roughly 50 pounds of cocaine, 60 pounds of marijuana and more than 100 pounds of crystal methamphetamine. “I’m very proud to have this team here in Barren County,” he added.
Lafferty noted that federal investigations are often kept out of public view until they are fully concluded. “They said I could come in and talk a little bit about it since everybody is in custody,” he said.
He said that kind of case helps explain why the task force may appear to have a relatively small number of investigations despite large seizures. “We only opened 78 cases last year,” Lafferty said. “But if you’ll look at the drug value, we seized $3.2 million of drugs.”
He added that 2025 marked the most productive year for the task force since its creation in 2003. “It’s lower case numbers, but higher totals – and 2025 proved that,” he said.
Councilwoman Leticia Cline asked about heroin in the region, to which Lafferty replied that its presence has largely faded since the rise of fentanyl. Fentanyl cases, however, have also seen decline, in part due to aggressive prosecution.
“We had two or three cases last year and the year before where, unfortunately, a victim had died,” Lafferty said. “We found out who sold it to them, prosecuted them and charged them with murder. Now they’re finding out if you sell fentanyl and someone dies, we’re coming after you.”
Lafferty then turned to Cave City Police Chief Paul Reynolds, who served on the Barren River Drug Task Force from 2019 through 2024. He presented Reynolds with a plaque recognizing his contributions to the agency and its work.
“Your expertise and friendship will be missed,” Lafferty said. “Thank you for your service to the Barren River Drug Task Force.”
He closed by telling council members that Cave City will always hold a “warm spot in his heart” as Reynolds’ time with the task force comes to an end.
Key facts
– Police Chief Paul Reynolds honored by Drug Task Force
– Major drug seizure discussed at Cave City Council meeting
– 50 pounds of cocaine, 60 pounds of marijuana, and 100 pounds of crystal meth seized
– Operation focused on mid- to high-level drug traffickers
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