Ky. has county added to federal drug program

FRAKNFORT, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky county that has one of the nation’s few unsolved police killings has been designated a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, meaning it can receive federal money to pay for things like overtime for law enforcement officers working on drug cases.

Nelson County was one of 26 counties and cities in 11 states to receive the Office of National Drug Control Policy designation on Monday.

Bardstown Police Officer Jason Ellis was ambushed and killed in May 2013 as he was driving home from work. Frank Rapier, director of Kentucky’s federal drug program, said he believes the murder was drug related.

Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell mentioned Ellis in a news release when announcing the designation. McConnell asked for Nelson County to be added to the program earlier this year.

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