FORMER NARCOTICS OFFICER ARRESTED

Ex-investigator's Old KSP Unit Brings Drug Charges

Benjamin Hadley learned how to apprehend drug dealers during his 18 years
as a Kentucky State Police narcotics investigator. He didn't learn how to
avoid detection himself, police say.

Hadley, who retired in 1994 while stationed at the KSP post in Columbia,
was arrested Tuesday and charged with four felony counts in connection with
alleged production and trafficking of marijuana and methamphetamine.

The former detective, 51, became a target of the state police Aug. 9, 2000,
according to an affidavit for a search warrant filed by the KSP. That's
when an officer with the drug task force in Tennessee's Sumner County sent
a tip their way: Hadley had been identified by their suspects as a supplier
of methamphetamine, according to the affidavit.

The state police Drug Enforcement, Special Investigations unit then began
watching Hadley's farm on Ky. 92 about 8 miles from the county courthouse
in Columbia, according to the affidavit. He was charged Tuesday with
manufacturing methamphetamine, cultivating marijuana, first-degree
trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and trafficking in
more than 8 ounces and less than 5 pounds of marijuana.

Hadley spent 18 years with the KSP narcotics section, the predecessor of
Drug Enforcement, Special Investigations, the special unit that
investigated him and brought the charges, said Lt. Kevin Payne, a state
police spokesman.

Although federal agents were brought in toward the end of the
investigation, state police handled most of it, Payne said.

"We didn't hesitate because he was a former employee," he said. "When we
got word on this, we developed the leads, we did the investigation and we
took action and arrested him."

The KSP seized 971 marijuana plants and other items it says belonged to
Hadley. Included on a list filed with the Adair Circuit Clerk were 17
rifles and pistols, a book on firearm silencers, marijuana pipes and bongs,
an assortment of pills and a video on hydroponic gardening.

Hadley was taken to the Adair County jail Tuesday. He secured his release
Wednesday with a bond of $20,000 in property.

Hadley started with state police in 1972 and was assigned to the narcotics
unit two years later. He left it in 1992 and was sent to the KSP post in
Columbia as a detective. He retired there in 1994.

Lt. Jerry Melton, who's in charge of patrolmen at the Columbia post, knew
Hadley when he was assigned there.

"We think it's horrible," Melton said. "Somebody that you work with, you
don't ever think they're capable of that."