17 ARRESTED AT CORVETTE PLANT

BOWLING GREEN (AP)-- A 14-month undercover drug investigation netted 17
arrests yesterday at the General Motors Corvette Plant.

Officers from the Kentucky State Police and the Bowling Green Police
Department arrived at the plant at about 7 a.m. CDT, armed with 15 arrest
warrants. The suspects were charged with a combined 54 counts of alleged
possession, sale and use of illegal drugs.

According to a state police statement, the investigation began as a result
of anonymous employee tips.

State Trooper Nick Stephens said GM officials were aware of the undercover
operation and were very cooperative in apprehending the suspects.

Many of the suspects were arrested while they worked on the production line.
Drug dogs also were used to check employees' cars and the plant's locker
area for drugs.

Stephens said no drugs were found inside the plant but small quantities of
marijuana were found in three employee vehicles.

© Copyright 1998 Lexington Herald-Leader.

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett