Major Drug Bust Tied to Laurel County Investigation Leads to Arrest in Perry County

BONNYMAN, Ky. — A year-long drug investigation led by the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in the arrest of a Perry County man and the seizure of a large quantity of prescription drugs, firearms, and cash.

Laurel County Sheriff John Root reported that Chester Glenn Couch, 68, of Typo Road in Bonnyman, was arrested on June 5 following a coordinated operation involving multiple law enforcement agencies. The investigation originated in Laurel County in 2024 and culminated with the execution of a drug-related search warrant at Couch’s residence.

During the search, investigators recovered approximately 2,247 prescription pills, suspected methamphetamine, roughly 120 firearms, and a substantial amount of U.S. currency.

Couch was charged with two counts of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (opiates), third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (first offense), and first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine). He was lodged in the Kentucky River Regional Jail in Perry County.

The undercover operation was conducted by Laurel County Sheriff's Office narcotics detectives, in partnership with the Kentucky State Police, Hazard Police Department, Operation UNITE, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Personnel from the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office who assisted in the investigation include Detectives Bryon Lawson, Jake Miller, Tommy Houston, and Captain Richard Dalrymple. The lead case officer is Detective Gary Jordan, who stated that the case will be presented to a federal grand jury for possible indictment.