LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Police in Jeffersontown, Kentucky, say they’ve arrested a father and son who were both heads of what investigators are calling “a multimillion-dollar marijuana trafficking organization tracking hundreds of thousands of pounds of marijuana into Louisville, Kentucky.”
On Friday, the Jeffersontown Police Department released these images of the evidence seized:
According to court documents, 39-year-old Joseph E. Lanham and his son, 19-year-old Joseph M. Lanham, were arrested early Thursday morning at their home on Pine Lake Drive. That’s in a subdivision just behind the AMC Stonybrook 20 theater at the corner of South Hurstbourne Parkway and Stony Brook Drive.
“We’re talking about thousands of pounds of marijuana, over some time, all coming into Louisville, surrounding areas — a lot of marijuana has hit the streets and it’s all gone through him (Joseph E. Lanham). A lot of money, drug proceeds, that he’s made over the years,” said Jeffersontown Detective Mike Lauder.
Lauder said this investigation has been ongoing for more than one year.
“This case, these arrests, are going to make a big impact in the Louisville area,” he said.
Investigators with the Jeffersontown Police Department executed a search warrant on the home, as well as several other locations, on Wednesday and Thursday, according to court documents. During the search, police say they seized hundreds of thousands of dollars, 20 pounds of marijuana, several guns, ledgers and a money counter.
“The Lanhams have jewelry, designer clothing and accessories and vehicles worth hundreds of thousands of dollars from the sale of marijuana,” an arrest report states.
Police said Joseph E. Lanham had bought several houses from the sale of marijuana.
Both men are charged with Enhanced Trafficking in Marijuana, Engaging in Organized Crime and Acquiring Property or Investments with Income from Trafficking in Controlled Substances.
They are currently being held in Louisville Metro Corrections and are scheduled to be arraigned in Jefferson District Court on Friday.
“We take great pride in keeping any, all drugs, out of J’town and we always encourage J’town residents and business owners and people who visit and work in J’town, if something doesn’t look right, please let us know,” said Lauder.