The Tyler Drug Scandal of the late 1970s represents a significant and controversial episode in East Texas law enforcement history. Here’s a detailed overview of the events and their aftermath:
Undercover Investigation and Initial Success
Between 1978 and 1979, the Tyler Police Department undertook what was, at the time, the largest drug bust operation ever attempted in East Texas. Officers Creig Matthews and Kim Ramsey (later Wozencraft) went undercover to infiltrate and investigate the burgeoning narcotics scene in Tyler, with local bar owner Ken Bora as their primary target. The undercover operation resulted in over 200 cases and more than 100 arrests, demonstrating initial success in curbing local drug activities. Despite this, Bora himself was not initially charged.
The Attack and Subsequent Testimony
Following the conclusion of their undercover work, both Matthews and Wozencraft were attacked by a shotgun-wielding assailant outside Wozencraft’s mobile home, leading to severe injuries for Matthews. In response, billionaire H. Ross Perot, who was serving as the chairman of a special crime commission, placed the officers in a Dallas safe house to secure their safety and enable them to testify in upcoming trials.
During the trial, Matthews and Wozencraft both claimed they had purchased drugs from Bora, with Wozencraft testifying that Bora had arranged the shooting. Bora was subsequently convicted of attempted murder…
