Perry Co. drug sweep leads to 36 arrests

NEW LEXINGTON, Ohio- A large-scale raid resulted in numerous arrests in the greater Perry County area.

The raid, code named ‘Operation Buzz Kill,’ brought in a total of 36 arrests on Wednesday. Perry County Sheriff William Barker said the operation specifically targeted drug traffickers in the greater Perry County area.

Starting at approximately 6:00 a.m., the Perry County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Central Ohio Drug Enforcement Task Force, U.S. Marshal Service, Perry County Prosecutor’s Office, Perry County Court, Ohio State Highway Patrol and law enforcement agencies from Franklin, Muskingum, Hocking, Fairfield and Guernsey counties to execute the early morning raids.

“The sooner we hit the street, we get out there early in the morning, we have a much better chance of catching the people right at their home,” said Barker. “They were just drug out of bed and brought straight down here and had no time to prepare for the arrest that took place.”

Operation headquarters were located at the Perry County Fairgrounds, where a temporary jail and court facility was established to process those arrested. Perry County Court Judge Dean Wilson was on hand to distribute bonds.

The four month long investigation produced a list of 43 outstanding arrest warrants, 36 of which they brought into custody; leaving seven of those offenders at-large.

“It is one of the most successful drug sweeps I’ve ever been a part of,” said Pete Tobin, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio. “When you get more than 50% of the people you’re looking for on that first day, that’s a great day.”

Three of the arrested are facing additional charges after methamphetamine was found in their possession at the time of their arrests. Two other individuals attempted to flee on foot, but were quickly apprehended. One individual resisted arrest and had to be subdued.

“Narcotics work is one of the most dangerous endeavors in law enforcement,” said Tobin.

All arrested were transported to the Southeast Ohio Regional Jail in Nelsonville, Ohio. The names of the arrested could not yet be released. There were 16 females and 20 males.

Judge Wilson said preliminary hearings will be conducted on Monday, May 22nd at the Perry County Court.