LOCAL OFFICERS WORK TO BREAK MAJOR DRUG RING

Local drug investigators are whittling away at what they call a
multimillion-dollar drug trafficking ring as they try to put it out of
business.

Huntsville police Sgt. Jim Winn, who heads the Organized Crime Unit, said
investigators for several years have been trying to break up the ring. Four
members from the same family have been arrested in the case.

On Tuesday, members of the Organized Crime Unit and the Madison County
Sheriff's Department Vice and Narcotics Squad searched for illegal drugs at
the home of Kristy Taylor and Johnny Wayne Jones at 6981 Moores Mill Road.

Investigators found about one ounce of cocaine and many pharmaceutical
drugs, as well as property believed to have been stolen from Huntsville
Hospital.

Winn said Taylor, 18, and Jones, 26, were each charged with trafficking
cocaine, possession of marijuana and two counts each of illegal possession
of controlled substances. More charges will be pursued over the apparently
stolen property, he said.

The arrests of Taylor and Jones are the latest in an investigation into
Taylor's family.

Just three months ago, Winn said, drug agents arrested Kristy's father,
Ricky Glen Taylor, on similar drug charges. Ricky Taylor, Winn said, is
believed to be the head of the drug ring, which he described as a
multimillion-dollar pharmaceutical distribution operation.

On Sept. 24, Winn said, drug agents searched Ricky and Sherry Taylor's home
at 6967 Moores Mill Road and found marijuana and several bottles of
controlled substances. Ricky Taylor, 38, and his wife, Sherry Taylor, 39,
were each arrested on drug charges resulting from the search.

Although Ricky Taylor is employed at Huntsville Hospital, Winn said
investigators do not believe the drugs were stolen from the hospital.

Ricky Taylor, a hospital maintenance worker, did not report to work Tuesday
or Wednesday, said Burr Ingram, Huntsville Hospital's vice president of
marketing.

``We have been advised by agents with the narcotics task force that the
drugs involved in this alleged ring are not from Huntsville Hospital,''
Ingram said. ``And, from our own security system for our pharmacy, we've
had no indication of any loss of supplies from our pharmacy.''

In addition to the arrests of a husband, wife, a daughter and her husband,
Winn said Ricky Taylor's brother was also arrested on drug charges in
September.

Billy Taylor, 53, of 208 New Market Road was charged with unlawful
distribution of a controlled substance after selling a prescription drug to
an undercover agent.

Winn said the investigation is continuing and more arrests are pending.