By CHAD ABSHIRE

Staff Writer

WILLIAMSON - A man whom police were searching for after performing an unplanned drug raid on his house was arrested yesterday morning in Pike County, Ky.

Claude “Peanut” Smith, 59, of Williamson, was arrested after Williamson Police Chief C.D. Rockel received a tip on his whereabouts.

“We received information on his (Smith’s) location,” Rockel told the Daily News. “He was at a residence at Lick Branch, Ky., down below the Martin County line.”

Along with Rockel, WPD Patrolman D.L. Paige, Pike County Sheriff’s Deputy James Earl Williamson and Mingo County Sheriff’s Deputy Max Mounts arrested Smith without incident at that residence.

Smith was arrested on his fugitive from justice charge and was transported by Williamson to the Pike County Detention Center, in Pikeville, Ky. In West Virginia, Smith faces charges of possession with intent to deliver marijuana and possession with intent to deliver hydrocodone.

There was no date given as to when Smith’s extradition hearing would be held.

Smith’s house at 1267 Vinson St. was broken into earlier this week by two men. One of the two burglars was Jacob Murphy, 20, of Williamson, who was detained by neighbors who reported the break in to police. The other man escaped and there are warrants out for his arrest.

The Williamson Police Department performed a routine security sweep of the house in an attempt to locate the other burglar or homeowner. Neither was found, but numerous bags of marijuana were.

After obtaining a search warrant from Magistrate Dallas Toler, the WPD found roughly 5 pounds of marijuana, scales, rolling papers, prescription pain pills and approximately $2,000 cash stuffed into pizza boxes.

If anyone has any information relating to this case, they are asked to contact the WPD at (304) 235-2570.