Two Russell County men are behind bars following their arrest Saturday on drug trafficking charges.

While on patrol at approximately 11:45 a.m., Det. Joey Hoover turned on a green Ford F250 truck on KY 910 after receiving information that Craig Irvin was a passenger in the truck, which was being driven by Thomas Fortenberry. Irvin was being sought on a drug trafficking warrant.

Fortenberry turned onto Old Hoppertown Road. About a half mile later, as Det. Hoover’s patrol vehicle was approaching the truck, it quickly pulled off the side of the road with Irvin exiting the truck and fleeing on foot. Irvin crossed over a fence and ran down a hill toward the Louie B. Nunn Cumberland Parkway. Several city, county and state law enforcement officers searched the area but did not locate Irvin.

Thomas Fortenberry was arrested and charged with Hindering Prosecution & Apprehension 2nd Degree and Trafficking in a Controlled Substance 1st Degree (Methamphetamine).

Approximately 11 grams of “crystal meth”, 1 gram of a yet to be determined substance, and a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol were seized as evidence.

At approximately 9:00 p.m. Saturday, Craig Allen Irvin was apprehended without incident at a relatives' residence on Rolling Hills Road, just off KY 910.

Irvin was lodged in the Russell County Detention Center by Sheriff Clete McAninch & Deputy Evan Burton on a warrant for Trafficking in a Controlled Substance 1st Degree (Meth) stemming from a recent investigation by the sheriff’s department.

Numerous other charges will be filed against Irvin on Monday in connection with Saturday’s incident on Old Hoppertown Road.