RICHLAND COUNTY — Two Mansfield men were arrested Tuesday after a traffic enforcement operation led to a vehicle pursuit and the recovery of approximately two kilograms of cocaine in Richland County.
The METRICH Enforcement Unit, assisted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, conducted the operation, targeting two vehicles suspected of transporting large quantities of cocaine.
Deputies stopped and questioned the driver of the first vehicle, Lamar Johnson, who is 39 years old according to Mansfield Municipal Court records.
The second vehicle, driven by Rashad Keith, 36, fled from deputies, initiating a pursuit. An adult woman and a young child were inside Keith’s vehicle during the chase, according to Lt. Ryan Grimshaw.
Investigators said approximately two kilograms of cocaine were thrown from the fleeing vehicle during the pursuit. Law enforcement officers later recovered the drugs along the pursuit route.
Keith eventually stopped and was taken into custody. He was arrested and charged with failure to comply, felony child endangering, and trafficking in cocaine.
After further investigation, law enforcement determined Johnson was also involved in the drug operation. Johnson was arrested and charged with complicity to trafficking in cocaine.
Both men were arraigned Wednesday in Mansfield Municipal Court and bond was set at $1 million each, according to court records.
Grimshaw said the operation highlights the ongoing efforts of METRICH and local law enforcement agencies to disrupt drug trafficking organizations and improve public safety across Richland County.
Grimshaw said METRICH will continue targeting people who bring and distribute illegal drugs in local communities and encouraged citizens to report suspected drug activity.
The investigation remains ongoing and additional charges may be filed, according to Grimshaw.
