Drug Bust in Zanesville
ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office, Zanesville Police Department, and Central Ohio Drug Enforcement Task Force has ended an investigation into Pharmaceutical fraud.
Tuesday May 16, 2017 local law enforcement conducted a search warrant for 224 Columbia Street in Zanesville. According to Sheriff Matt Lutz the Central Ohio Drug Enforcement Task Force received a lead and assistance from the Ohio Board of Pharmacy and identified suspect Terry Harris.
Photo Provided By: Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office
“The detectives were able to locate several digital scales, baggies of residue approximately $12,000 in U.S. currency,” Zanesville Police Chief Tony Coury said. “They also retrieved prescription pills [percocet] with a street value of approximately $4,000 and they also took down cocaine, which was valued out around $150,000 worth.”
Detectives also seized six motor vehicles, one boat, and three properties. Terry Harris was located in the house during the search and taken to the Zanesville City Jail.
“Harris as of right now is charged with trafficking in drugs cocaine,” Muskingum County Sheriff said. “There is also a major offender specification, because of the amount of the cocaine that was covered. It adds a major drug offender specification, which is obviously a felony of the first degree. He’s being held right now in the Zanesville City Jail on a $500,000 bond.”
Sheriff Lutz said Harris could face a maximum of 22 years with a minimum of 11 years in prison.
According to Sheriff Lutz and Chief Coury the officers have been told not to field test any powders anymore due to health and safety risks. However, the detectives are still working hard to investigate possible leads.
“The [Central Ohio Drug Enforcement Task Force] are really unbelievable right now they’re knocking it out of the park with some of these major drug offenders,” Chief Coury said. “I think [the dealers] are feeling the heat, I think every one of them is willing to do four or five years. They’re not so much willing to do 15 to 20.”
“We’re not naive enough to sit here and tell you,” Sheriff Lutz said. “We took this guy off, so now that’s solves the problem.’ No, there will be somebody else that thinks they can step in and take his place. We’re going to continue to do this as long as we can.”
Anyone with additional information to this case can call the Muskingum County Tip Line at (740) 455-7917 or the Zanesville Police Tip Line at (740) 455-0712.
