MANSFIELD, Ohio — Local law enforcement has arrested 17 suspects on drug-related charges this week as part of a countywide drug sweep.
The local drug sweep is part of a state-wide initiative implemented by the Ohio Task Force Commanders Association. Locally METRICH detectives were aided by the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, United States Marshall Service in their search for 21 suspects wanted on indictments which included 46 criminal charges. As of Friday afternoon, 17 of the 21 suspects were in custody.
Mansfield METRICH Detectives, along with, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, ASORT and the ATF, served a drug related search warrant at 788 Pulver List Road after several complaints of drug activity. Detectives located Judy Rush and Michael Bolden who were arrested for Drug Trafficking.
METRICH Detectives assisted NOVFTF and located Jeffery McClain (wanted for two counts of trafficking in cocaine) at 350 Jennings Ave., Apt F, and located drug paraphernalia and a handgun. Detectives of the METRICH Enforcement Unit responded to Jennings Avenue and seized the weapon and drug paraphernalia.
Officers of the NOVFTF also located Terrell Latimore (wanted for three counts of trafficking in cocaine) at 119 Pleasant Ave. During the arrest, Latimore was found to be in possession of cocaine. METRICH Detectives responded to Pleasant Avenue and assumed the investigation.
Officers of the NOVFTF attempted to locate a wanted subject at 285 ½ Lexington Ave. and observed suspected marijuana and a large amount of cash. METRICH Detectives obtained a search warrant for this residence and seized over $7,000 in cash and suspected marijuana. The wanted subject (Marcus Buter) was not located and currently being sought by the NOVFTF.
METRICH Commander Lt. Joy Stortz praised the coordination and the effectiveness of the NOVFTF and METRICH Detectives, stating, “This operation shows the METRICH Enforcement Unit is committed to reducing the availability of illegal drugs and weapons through community partnerships.”
METRICH is a 10-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.