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The cocaine dealer arrested in connection with one of the largest drug busts in Logan County history was sentenced recently to six years in prison.
Keith Close, 37, and codefendant Dusten Dye, 33, of Ludlow Falls, who has also pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing, were arrested in mid-March after an investigation by the Logan County Sheriff’s Office into reports of repeated drug transactions at Close’s 508 Highview Drive home.
A deputy stopped Dye leaving the Close house after a suspected drug drop and discovered marijuana and $7,000 cash in his vehicle. Deputies detained Dye on a probation violation and were able to obtain a search warrant for Close’s home, where they found almost a half-pound of cocaine, about 11⁄2 pounds of marijuana and $24,500.
The two men were originally charged with first-degree felony counts of trafficking in cocaine with major drug offender specifications, along with lesser marijuana charges.
The charges were reduced to second-degree felony counts and the specifications and other charges were dropped in exchange for the pleas. Both men agreed to forfeit the money seized at the time of their arrests.
Logan County Common Pleas Judge William T. Goslee handed down Close’s six-year sentence last week and set sentencing for Dye for Nov. 7.