MANSFIELD — The METRICH Enforcement Unit, in partnership with the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force and local law enforcement agencies, conducted a week-long drug enforcement initiative throughout Richland County beginning on July 5.

The operation focused on apprehending individuals involved in the distribution of illegal narcotics.

As a result of numerous investigations conducted over the past year, 24 individuals were indicted on a total of 60 felony charges.

In addition to the indictments, investigators executed four search warrants at locations throughout Richland County, resulting in additional felony charges and the seizure of illegal firearms and evidence associated with drug trafficking.

Search warrants executed

244 E. Arch Street

Having Weapons While Under Disability.
Possessing Criminal Tools.
Possession of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance.
Illegal Manufacturing of Drugs.
One Glock 10mm handgun recovered.

262 Elmwood Drive (consent search)

One stolen Hi-Point firearm recovered.
Having weapons while under disability.
Receiving stolen property.

560 Daisy Street

Tampering with Evidence.
Illegal Conveyance of Drugs into a Detention Facility 439 Burns Street.
Possession of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance.
Illegal Manufacturing of Drugs.

439 Burns Street

Possession of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance.
Illegal Manufacturing of Drugs.

This enforcement initiative demonstrates the continued commitment of the METRICH Enforcement Unit, the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, and their law enforcement partners to disrupting drug trafficking organizations, removing illegally possessed firearms from the community, and improving public safety throughout Richland County.

The investigations remain ongoing, and additional charges may be filed. All individuals charged are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The METRICH Enforcement Unit will continue to target those bringing and distributing illegal drugs within our community and encourage citizens to continue to report suspected drug activity.

Citizens can call the METRICH Crime Tip Hotline at 419-52-CRIME (419-522-7463) or the Task Force line at 419-755-9728 or by using the METRICH app.

METRICH is a 10-county decentralized task force in North Central Ohio whose mission is to improve the quality of life for the citizens we 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.