MANSFIELD, Ohio – On March 19, 2015 the METRICH Enforcement Unit assisted by ASORT, the Mansfield Police Department, and the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force served two drug related search warrants.
The search warrants were served at 107 Crouse Street and 117 Willow Street.
The 107 Crouse Street warrant involved an investigation that began after receiving citizen complaints of possible drug activity. During the search, detectives seized 3.5 grams of crack cocaine, a quantity of prescription drugs, a loaded Hi-Point 9 mm handgun, a loaded Rossi .38 caliber handgun and $515 in cash. Andrais Lawrence was arrested.
The Search Warrant at 117 Willow Street involved citizen complaints of drug activity as well. During the investigation detectives seized a quantity of crack cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Tracey Minard was arrested.
Young children were found in both residences, and Richland County Children Services was contacted and responded to the scenes.
Both Lawrence and Minard will have additional charges presented to the prosecutor’s office for review.
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) searched within Richland County for 27 defendants wanted on 65 drug related indictments. The task force has already arrested 13 of the 27 wanted suspects.
The NOVFTF also uncovered a marijuana growing operation at 3 Summit Avenue in Shelby. Shelby Police Officers and METRICH Detectives responded to the location to investigate and seize the illegal property.
Charges from 3 Summit Avenue will be forwarded to the Richland County Prosecutor’s Office.
METRICH is a ten county decentralized task force in North Central Ohio whose mission is to improve the quality of life for the citizens they serve by reducing the availability of illegal drugs and weapons through proactive enforcement efforts.
The success of METRICH is a tribute to the cooperation and support within the Law Enforcement Community in the METRICH region and to those citizens who have chosen to improve the quality of life in their communities by assisting METRICH in reporting suspicious activity and valuable information.
Citizens may report suspicious activity to the crime hot lines at: 419-522-7463 and www.METRICH.com
