POLICE ARREST NINE ON DRUG CHARGES

COTTAGE GROVE - Police have arrested nine people this week and expect
to arrest a few more on methamphetamine and marijuana charges after
conducting an undercover investigation triggered by neighbors'
complaints about drug dealing in parking lots around area bars.

A patrol officer on graveyard shift worked undercover at times over a
four-month period to collect evidence for the arrests.

"They're street-level dealers," police Cpl. Dean Finnerty said. "It'll
have an impact. Probably a month or two from now things will get back
to normal. Narcotics is one of those things that needs long-term
enforcement to have any lasting effect."

Charged with manufacturing, delivering and possessing drugs were:
Darren Jones, 33; Mark David Childers, 40; Jerimiah Lee Treadwell, 23;
Wyatt Israel Treadwell, 20, who also is charged with endangering the
welfare of a minor; Shirden Glenn Woody, 45; and a 16-year-old male.
Scott Lee Ferguson, 40, was charged with delivering and possessing
drugs. Cynthia Anne Moore, 33, and Gabe W. Nellor, 39, were charged
with delivering drugs.