MANSFIELD — Ten individuals were targeted in a drug-trafficking raid conducted Tuesday by the METRICH Enforcement Unit, with assistance from the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF).
According to a press release issued Wednesday by METRICH, the indictments resulted from a lengthy investigation into drug trafficking activity in the Mansfield area.
All 10 individuals have been linked to Lamar Johnson, Rashad Keith, and Cy Ison, who are currently incarcerated at the Richland County Jail on drug-related charges, METRICH stated.
Johnson and Keith were arrested in August following an investigation that resulted in the seizure of approximately two kilograms of cocaine, authorities noted. Both were charged with drug possession and complicity offenses.
In September, the METRICH Enforcement Unit seized $84,510 in U.S. currency in connection with Cy Ison’s suspected drug trafficking activities, METRICH stated.
During the roundup operation, members of the NOVFTF arrested Ryan Boyd at 86 Dawson Avenue in Mansfield. While making the arrest, officers observed evidence of drug trafficking in plain view. Based on those observations, investigators with the METRICH Enforcement Unit obtained and executed a search warrant at the residence.
The search resulted in the seizure of crack cocaine, materials used in the manufacture of crack cocaine, a currency-counting machine, and $14,327 in U.S. currency.
At the publication of this press release, two individuals remain at large: Andrea Collier, and Antonio Hobbs. Collier and Hobbs are encouraged to surrender themselves to authorities.
Anyone with information regarding their whereabouts is asked to contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833) or the METRICH
Enforcement Unit at 419-52CRIME (419-522-7463).
“This enforcement action demonstrates the continued commitment of the METRICH Enforcement Unit and its law enforcement partners to disrupting drug trafficking operations and improving public safety throughout Richland County,” the press release stated.
The METRICH Enforcement Unit will continue to investigate individuals involved in the distribution of illegal drugs throughout our communities. Citizens are encouraged to report suspected drug activity.