ASHTABULA — Eleven Ashtabula-area residents were arrested early Thursday in a drug sweep that capped a months-long investigation into heroin trafficking, officers said.
The bulk of the arrests occurred in Ashtabula, but more arrests could result from search warrants still being served late into the day Thursday, said Sheriff William Johnson. Names and addresses of the suspects were not immediately available Thursday afternoon.
The suspects could make their initial appearances today in Ashtabula Municipal Court, officers said.
During the sweep, officers discovered a quantity of drugs and other contraband, Johnson said. “(The arrests) put a stop to a lot of current, large activity involving heroin and stolen property,” he said.
Sheriff’s detectives assigned to the Trumbull-Ashtabula Group law-enforcement task force served as lead investigators and were assisted by agents from a handful of agencies, including the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said Lt. Van Robison of the sheriff’s department. FBI agents also participated in the sweep, he said.
Until all warrants were served, deputies were reluctant to discuss the specifics of the investigation.
“It was an eight-month investigation,” Robison said. “The focus was heroin trafficking. Evidence was found at some addresses.”
The people arrested Thursday range in age from 18 to around 50, Robison said. The majority came to the county three or four years ago, he said.
Undercover agents became involved in the case in August, buying the drug from suspects, Robison said.
“It’s been a good investigation,” he said. “It takes a lot of manpower and resources.”
Deputies and agents began fanning out across the city shortly before 8 a.m. Many of the people arrested Thursday morning were taken in without incident. Agents swinging a sledgehammer broke open a door at a Michigan Avenue residence after occupants refused to answer a knock at the door.
Deputies and agents also served warrants at another Michigan Avenue location, as well as homes on 29th Street, Johnson Court and a Lake Avenue business.
No law-enforcement personnel were injured, Robison said.
“Everything was done safely,” he said.
Heroin use in the area seems to be on the rise, Robison said.
“Methamphetamine (activity) is still out there, but not as frequent,” Robison said. “We believe (the individuals arrested) are the source of a lot of heroin (in the area).
“Heroin trafficking has hurt some good families in our community,” he said.
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
Heroin the focus in city drug raids
11 area residents arrested in sweep
- Local News
-
-
Sports, academics to come together
SPIRE Institute will expand its educational base and accept international students into its sports performance programs through a partnership with the Andrews Osborne Academy, Ted Meekma, SPIRE management team member, announced Wednesday.
-
Grand Valley sixth grader wins Ashtabula County Spelling Bee
James Elliott, a sixth grader at Grand Valley Middle School, clinched his win of the 29th annual Ashtabula County Area V Spelling Bee by successfully spelling the words “physique” and “daffodil.”
-
Conneaut Chamber lauds top citizen, ‘Champions’
Nicholas Iarocci, Conneaut’s 2011 Citizen of the Year, needed plenty of gulps of water to complete his acceptance speech Tuesday night.
-
Conneaut’s unpaved roads will get priority status in 2012
Secondary roads in Conneaut will get the lion’s share of attention from the Public Works’ Department this year, said City Manager Tim Eggleston.
-
Felony charge filed in robbery
An Ashtabula woman who police said grabbed a woman’s purse inside a Conneaut supermarket late Monday afternoon faces a felony charge in Conneaut Municipal Court, according to reports.
-
Ashtabula County building projects readied for bids
Up to four improvement projects for county-owned buildings are being lined up for bids in the next month.
-
City of Ashtabula looking for new auditor
Six candidates have applied for city auditor, which City Council President J.P. Ducro IV says he hopes to fill by the end of March.
-
Red Cross holding breakfast for ‘Community Heroes’
The Red Cross Community Heroes Breakfast will honor 12 county residents March 3 at the Bernard Vacca Community Center.
-
New film showcases county’s scenic rivers
Ohio’s Scenic Rivers program, which protects stretches of 14 waterways — including three in Ashtabula County — is the focus of a new movie by a Dayton-based independent filmmaker.
-
Students can donate clothing to Goodwill
Many Ashtabula Area City Schools students will find themselves cleaning out their closets this week.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Sports, academics to come together
