Pills that have resulted in a number of overdose deaths in Scott and surrounding counties were taken off the street on Thursday, Jan. 12 when Scott County Sheriff’s Deputies concluded a drug investigation with two arrests.
Arrested were Kalan Lee Bowling, 30, and his wife, Kaylin Coulston, 32, both of Scottsburg. Both were incarcerated in Scott County Jail Thursday night.
In the days prior to the arrests, police confidential informants and undercover police officers made several purchases of nearly 200 fentanyl pills from Bowling at locations in Scottsburg and at Bowling’s North Main Street residence, according to court documents.
Deputies obtained a search warrant for the residence at 342 N. Main Street in Scottsburg.
During the search, deputies and assisting officers seized more than 400 blue-colored pills containing fentanyl, nearly $8,300 in cash, and a variety drug paraphernalia, according to Scott County Sheriff Jerry Goodin. “Coulston attempted to destroy evidence before deputies were able to enter by attempting to flush pills down the toilet,” said Goodin.
About 200 pills were attempted to be flushed, according to court documents.
“The seized pills are commonly referred to as the ‘Blue Pill of Death’,” said Goodin. “Fentanyl has been linked nationwide to overdose deaths, to which Scott and surrounding counties have not been immune.”
“Fentanyl is a known killer…no ifs, ands, or buts about it… This bust will undoubtedly save lives,” said Goodin.
Bowling was charged with six counts of dealing in a narcotic drug, possession of a narcotic drug, maintaining a common nuisance, resisting law enforcement, and operating a motor vehicle while a habitual traffic violator. During his initial appearance in court on Jan. 17, Circuit Court Judge Jason Mount set Bowling’s bail at $250,000 full cash bond.
Coulston was charged with dealing in a narcotic drug, maintaining a common nuisance, obstruction of justice, and possession of marijuana. During her initial appearance in court on Jan. 17, Circuit Court Judge Jason Mount set bail at $100,000 full cash bond.
Other agencies assisting with this investigation were the Jennings County Sheriff’s Deputies, Scottsburg City Police and the Scott County Prosecutors Office.
The Scott County Sheriff’s Department and Scottsburg Police Department on Jan. 18 filed a petition with the court for Bowling and Coulston to forfeit $8,292 cash seized in the drug arrests.