MARION, Ohio — Dozens of people were arrested in Marion County Wednesday morning for their alleged roles in a drug trafficking organization involved in the distribution of heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and fentanyl in Marion, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio said during a news conference.
In case you missed it, watch the update from the Cleveland Division of the FBI in the media player below:
In total, 43 people were arrested as over 200 law enforcement personnel took to the streets Wednesday morning.
“Organizations like the one dismantled here today target communities like Marion because they mistakenly assume that they can operate either without detection or without people speaking up,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bridget Brennan in a statement. “Let these indictments serve as notice that law enforcement partners in this District and the residents of Marion are paying attention. And we will act.”
Breaking: More than a 100 federal, local, state officers hit the streets in Marion this morning looking for alleged drug traffickers. #WEWS pic.twitter.com/j8C4xcHJMc
— Tracy Carloss (@TracyCarloss) September 23, 2020
From October 2015 to January 2019, the 46 individuals listed in the indictment are accused of operating a drug trafficking organization that distributed large quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin and fentanyl throughout Marion through suppliers in Ohio, Michigan and Illinois.
According to the release, the alleged drug traffickers used multiple cell phones, code words and firearms.
“Possession and distribution of illegal narcotics and the illegal possession of firearms will not be tolerated in our communities or by the good citizens who live there,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith. “Likewise, the FBI will continue it’s targeted, exhaustive, and collaborative efforts with our local, state and federal partners to identify and dismantle drug trafficking organizations that bring poison and violence into our neighborhoods.”
