PENNINGTON GAP, Va. - Lee County Sheriff Deputies arrested three drug dealers Friday. Sheriff Gary Parsons says Investigator Sergeant Chris Oakley originally had a search warrant for the home of Dorothy Hilton, 53, of North Kentucky Street, Pennington Gap. “Once inside the residence sheriff deputies discovered an 80 milligram Oxycodone and $1,000 in cash along with 23 other unidentified pills,” said Parsons.

Officers asked Hilton to contact her supplier and ask him to bring more pills to her home. “Before the supplier arrived, Daniel River, 50, who lived with Hilton, came back to the home. When officers searched him they found a baggie of marijuana and a baggie of a white powder substance believed to be cocaine,” explained Parsons.

Not long afterward, Tim Wallen, 47, of Ben Hur came to the home. He had in his possession 20 pills, later identified as 80 milligram Oxycontin. Wallen was immediately taken into custody and charged with possession of schedule II narcotics with intent to distribute. Officers also seized his 1995 Buick automobile. Wallen is presently in the Duffield Regional Jail, being held without bond.

“Hilton and Rivers will face charges at the next available setting of a Lee County Grand Jury,” Parsons said.

Parsons commended Sergeant Oakley and the other officers involved in the arrests, “Because these officers thought things through while they were on the scene, they were able to not only get a pusher, but an upline supplier as well. It was excellent police work.”

C.J. Harte is a Correspondent for the Daily News. He can be reached via e-mail at charte@middlesborodailynews.com.