Police arrest 8 people in drug bust at house in Wood River

WOOD RIVER, Ill. (KMOX) — In light of an ongoing drug investigation, local and federal authorities conducted a search of a Wood River house Thursday morning and took eight people into custody.

Police charged Deborah Knight, 53, of 711 Rice St., Wood River, Ill., with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance. She is being held in the Wood River City Jail.

Police took six other people into custody from the house who did not live there, and one additional person who was not at the house at the time. Police said they have received numerous complaints regarding the house and activities going on in and around it.

Heather Ontis, 43, of Fieldon, Ill., was arrested due to an outstanding warrant in Jersey County for failing to appear in court on possession of stolen property. She is being transferred to the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office.

One person taken into custody was in possession of illegal narcotics and will be held until the case is formally presented to the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Police said they will release the identities of the other individuals as the case progresses, as it is still under investigation.