COLUMBUS, Ohio – More than a dozen men and women are facing drug charges after an early-morning roundup of suspects that involved raids on a chain of Latino food stores around central Ohio.
The 13 people were arrested early Tuesday on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine, according to a joint release from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
Nine La Michoacana stores around Columbus were raided during the operation, Columbus police sources said.
“Our efforts to diminish the supply side of this problem may help reduce violence and access to these damaging drugs,” said Chief Kim Jacobs of the Columbus Division of Police, which took part in the operation along with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
“This investigation is a prime example of agencies working together to send a loud and clear message that drug trafficking will not be tolerated in Franklin County,” said Franklin County Sheriff Zach Scott whose office was also part of the operation.
According to court documents, the group has conspired to distribute numerous kilograms of heroin and cocaine over the last three years.
Five of the suspects are accused of distributing or possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.