CLEVELAND — A total of 31 people have been indicted in federal court in connection with a large drug operation which officials say stretched across Northern Ohio.
Prosecutors claim the individuals trafficked in substances like fentanyl, cocaine, crack, and meth from suppliers in Lorain, Columbus, and Marion over a period of almost three years beginning in 2020. These narcotics were then mostly sold around Marion, but also in Lorain and Wyandot counties.
During the investigation, authorities say they found a combined six kilos of fentanyl, cocaine, and meth along with more than $25,000 cash. Twenty-one of the suspects were captured during an early morning sting Wednesday before being taken to U.S. District Court in Cleveland.
Rebecca C. Lutzko, interim U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, released the following statement:
"Yesterday's arrests and announced indictments will give the community of Marion, Ohio, some relief from the opioid epidemic that has been a persistent scourge in our District. These arrests reflect law enforcement targeting organizations that sell deadly drugs in our communities to hold those organizations accountable for the lives they regularly destroy. The United States Attorney's Office will continue its targeted 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."
While nearly all of the accused are from Marion County, 36-year-old Lorain native Freddie Sanchez is also part of the bust. County court records show he has a lengthy history of drug offenses, including serving roughly eight years in prison after pleading guilty to trafficking cocaine with guns.
Sanchez and the 30 others currently face the following charges:
- Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances
- Distribution of a controlled substances
- Possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances
- Use of a communications facility to facilitate a drug trafficking offense
