Authorities go through maze of pit bulls, deputy bitten

Sequoyah County Sheriff Larry Lane and other authorities sent their own Valentine’s Day message this year to an alleged local drug trafficker, but the Sheriff said they weren’t met with flowers and candy.

Just after daylight on February 14, Lane said Sheriff ’s deputies and investigators, Sallisaw Police investigators, ATF agents and District 27 DTF agents served a narcotics search warrant at a residence in the Gum Springs community, north of Gore.

Lane said officers recovered fentanyl, more than a pound of methamphetamine, a large sum of marijuana, loaded

firearms and more than $4,000 in U.S. currency.

“When officers arrived, they had to negotiate through a maze of about a dozen pit bulls to get to the residence,” Lane said. “Although one deputy received a minor dog bite to his leg, none of the dogs had to be shot.”

Lane reported Tracy Radick, 38, of Gore was arrested and charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of controlled dangerous substance (marijuana) with intent to distribute, felon in possession of firearm, possession of firearm in commission of a felony, possession of controlled dangerous substance (fentanyl), acquiring proceeds from criminal activity, after former felony conviction (times three).

“This was a very remote location, near the Muskogee county line,” Lane said. “She had several large aggressive pit bulls chained up all over the property, so the deputies had to really watch where they walked.”

“The officers did a great job on this investigation,” he said. “And another large drug supplier is in jail.”