LEXINGTON, Ky.–A Detroit, Michigan man, Michael M. Webster, 32, was indicted Thursday on federal drug charges stemming from allegations that he trafficked large quantities of methamphetamine from Detroit to central Kentucky.
According to a court documents, Webster faces three counts of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The federal charges follow an investigation conducted by the DEA’s Lexington Resident Office, in collaboration with Lexington Police Department narcotics officers.
A criminal complaint written by DEA Task Force Officer Travis Steward says the investigation began in May 2025, when Webster and an alleged associate were identified as key figures in a drug trafficking organization that imported methamphetamine from Detroit to Lexington for local distribution.
Investigators identified a residence on Osage Court in Lexington’s Woodhill neighborhood as a suspected storage site for narcotics.
On May 19, 2025, surveillance footage reportedly showed Webster arriving at the Osage Court residence carrying a large red backpack, which investigators suspected contained narcotics brought from Detroit. The surveillance cameras, installed earlier that day by Lexington police, also captured Webster allegedly conducting narcotics transactions in the property’s parking area, according to the criminal complaint.
Further surveillance and informant tips suggested that Webster frequently traveled between Lexington and Detroit, using rental vehicles to transport drugs discreetly. Steward said Webster was seen again on May 27 arriving at the residence, carrying another red backpack.
While the DEA was conducting surveillance, they were alerted to potential counter surveillance vehicles “slow rolling by the Kentucky State Police Troopers staged nearby.” Concerned Webster might be alerted to law enforcement’s presence due to suspicious activity near the site, agents quickly secured a search warrant.
Upon execution of the search warrant, agents say they discovered firearms hidden in a trash receptacle behind the residence, including handguns, ammunition, magazines, and an AR-15 style rifle. Inside the home, they found narcotics processing equipment, scales with methamphetamine residue, and cutting agents used to dilute narcotics.
According to the criminal complaint, a search of a neighboring trash receptacle, accessible from Webster’s residence, uncovered roughly 3.3 pounds (1,536 grams) of methamphetamine concealed in a bucket typically used as a horse joint supplement, another known cutting agent.
An arraignment date for Webster in federal court has yet to be set. Webster remains detained at the Woodford County Detention Center.
