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.
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