44-KILOGRAM COCAINE SEIZURE IS LARGEST EVER IN KENTUCKY

Louisville Metro Police have seized 44 kilograms of cocaine -- about 96
pounds -- in what they say is the largest such bust in Kentucky.

The cocaine was found Thursday night at the home of Thomas Johnson, 27, of
the 5000 block of Oak Lea Drive after he was arrested about 6:30 p.m. in
the parking lot of a store on Dixie Highway where he allegedly sold a
half-kilo of cocaine to an informant, police said.

Before this, the largest such cocaine seizure occurred in September when
federal agents found 33 kilograms in a car parked in west Louisville. Four
men were arrested in that case.

U.S. Attorney Steve Pence, whose office will prosecute the current case,
said the large amount is disturbing.

"It's a bad sign when you see that much dope," Pence said. "But we got it
off the street."

Pence said the cocaine seizure "is part of an ongoing investigation."

Johnson told police after his arrest that he had additional cocaine at his
residence and gave them written permission to search the house, according
to an affidavit filed in federal court by Raymond F. Leezer Jr., a metro
police officer assigned to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Detectives found the 44 kilograms, a loaded handgun and $21,204 in cash,
the affidavit said.

Johnson appeared yesterday in U.S. District Court in Louisville. U.S.
Magistrate Judge Cleve Gambill ordered him held until Monday for a
preliminary hearing and a hearing on whether he should be held without bond.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Taft Jr. said the government is asking
that Johnson be held without bond.

Johnson did not enter a plea yesterday and said he plans to hire a lawyer.
He is charged with trafficking in 44.5 kilograms of cocaine.

The drug charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison
without parole. Johnson also could be charged with using a firearm in
commission of a drug crime, which carries a penalty of five additional
years in prison.