MCCRACKEN COUNTY, Ky. - A multiagency drug investigation led to the arrests of three men Monday afternoon in McCracken County on various methamphetamine related offenses.

Officals arrested 34-year-old Steven D. Gipson Jr., 42-year-old Howard T. Whyte, and 31-year-old Colby P. Mitchell on 

Detectives with the McCracken County Sheriff's Department began an investigation after receiving information alleging that Gipson, of Benton, Ky., was involved in the sale of methamphetamine.  

As part of the investigation, detectives arranged to meet Gipson in Paducah at a local gas station and make a methamphetamine purchase on Monday. Detectives learned that Gipson and Whyte, of Dexter, Ky., would be meeting their methamphetamine source prior to the deal.

Through surveillance, detectives observed Gipson and Whyte drive to the parking lot of a school on Alben Barkley Dr. While on the parking lot of the school, the two men were observed meeting Mitchell, of Murray, Ky. It appeared the men conducted a hand to hand through the truck window.

All three men then drove to the parking lot of the gas station where they engaged in a drug transaction with an undercover officer. After the transaction was complete, detectives arrested the three men without incident at 2:19 p.m.

Subsequent investigation revealed that Mitchell had supplied Whyte and Gipson with methamphetamine to sell to detectives. Detectives searched the truck occupied by Gipson and Whyte, and located and seized an additional quantity of methamphetamine and US currency that was believed to be proceeds of methamphetamine sales.

Detectives also seized several hundred dollars in US currency off the person of Mitchell that was believed to be proceeds of illegal drug sales. During a search of Mitchell's vehicle, detectives located approximately 60 grams of crystal methamphetamine packaged for sale and a methamphetamine smoking pipe. The seized Methamphetamine has a estimated street value of $6,000.

Around 7 p.m. Monday, detectives with the Murray Police Department, Kentucky State Police and Pennyrile Narcotics Task Force executed a search warrant at Mitchell's residence on Vine St. in Murray. During the search, detectives located a .45 caliber semi automatic handgun and a small quantity of marijuana.  

Mitchell is a convicted felon from a prior methamphetamine trafficking offense and not allowed to possess firearms.

Gipson and Whyte were charged with trafficking in a 1st degree controlled substance- methamphetamine - in excess of two grams. Mitchell was charged with second offense of trafficking in a 1st degree controlled substance- methamphetamine - in excess of two grams and possession of drug paraphernalia. The three men are lodged in the McCracken County Jail.

The McCracken County Sheriff's Department was assisted in this investigation by the Paducah Police Department, the Marshall County Sheriff's Department, the Pennyrile Narcotics Task Force, the ATF, the Murray Police Department and the Kentucky State Police.