LSO / Drug arrests - Fentanyl exposure

August 15, 2018

Laurel County, KY - Sheriff John Root is reporting that: Laurel Sheriff's Detective Sgt. Chris Edwards arrested two individuals on I– 75 approximately 1 mile north of London on Wednesday morning August 15, 2018 at approximately 10:44 AM. He was assisted by Deputy Daniel Grigsby and his K-9 "Edge".

The arrests occurred following a traffic stopped of a white colored Ford F-250 where it was determined that the 2 individuals in the vehicle were in possession of a large quantity of heroin.

The two individuals were transported to the Laurel County Sheriff's office and were identified as:

The driver of the vehicle Danny S. Johnson age 39 of Walker Branch Road, Hazard charged with trafficking in a controlled substance – first offense – heroin.

The passenger identified as Dwayne D. Canada age 24 of Redford, Michigan charged with trafficking in a controlled substance – first offense – heroin. In addition, this subject was charged with wanton endangerment – first-degree – police officer is victim. The charge resulted later (approx. 11:48 A.M.) after the arrest when Deputy Daniel Grigsby, who assisted with the investigation and arrest and transport of the suspect back to the Sheriff's office discovered a white powder substance in the backseat of his police cruiser at an unrelated complaint\arrest that occurred off Golden Eagle Drive approximately 4 miles south of London. During that arrest Deputy Grigsby opened the backseat of his police cruiser to place an individual in there when he noticed a white powdery substance on the backseat and became dizzy and lightheaded. The substance found in the backseat was field tested and determined to be fentanyl-- a highly dangerous drug that when inhaled or an individual is exposed to it can cause severe health issues including death. It was determined through investigation that when Dwayne Canada had been arrested on I– 75 that upon being placed in the backseat of the police cruiser, he attempted to dispose of the drug.

As a result and as a precaution numerous emergency service personnel were called to the scene where Deputy Grigsby along with his K-9 "Edge" were decontaminated. Deputy Grigsby's police cruiser was removed by wrecker service by Eco-Tech to be decontaminated. Deputy Grigsby was transported to St. Joseph Hospital London as a precaution to be checked out in the emergency room.

Agencies and personnel assisting at the scene and on the investigation included:

for Laurel County Sheriff's office Maj. Chuck Johnson, Capt. Kevin Berry, Lt. Greg Poynter, Sgt. Brett Reeves, Detective James Sizemore, Deputy Bryon Lawson, Deputy Brad Mink, Deputy Daniel Grigsby and his K-9.

Also assisting were the following agencies: Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County, Campground volunteer fire department, Bush volunteer fire department, Laurel County emergency management director Justin Noe, Laurel County Department of public safety director Brad Smith, Regional emergency management director Jerry Rains, the regional hazmat special response team Area 12 from Somerset, and a KSP/CVE officer.

Photo of scene provided by public affairs Deputy Gilbert Acciardo.