Eight people have been indicted for a heroin and cocaine drug trafficking ring that operated in Ashland, Medina and Wayne counties, according to a news release Monday from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
The indictments followed the seizure of more than $1 million in drugs and a joint investigation by the Ohio Attorney General, Ashland County prosecutor and sheriff, the Medina County Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Agency.
The case was presented to an Ashland County grand jury Friday and five arrests were made Monday. Among those arrested was David Wertman, 18, of Copley Township, according to the news release.
Authorities began investigating after receiving information that Richard Lawless, 48, of Polk, was trafficking drugs in the three counties. They executed search warrants, conducted controlled buys and uncovered heroin, cocaine, prescription drugs and marijuana with a combined estimated street value of more than $1 million. They also seized cash, illegally owned guns and items used to make heroin in pill form.
“Heroin abuse and addiction are an epidemic in Ohio and across the country, and law enforcement from state, local and federal agencies are working hard to make sure traffickers don’t get away with pushing this deadly drug,” Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said in the news release. “The fact that some members of this operation were not only selling heroin, but also disguising it in the form of a pill is especially concerning.”
Gary Hubbard, commander of the Medina County Task Force, said Lawless has been a “menace to the area for many years.”
In addition to drug charges, Lawless is also facing multiple counts of felonious assault, aggravated burglary and abduction.
Also arrested were: Michael Kouns, 26, of Polk; Sarah Krupansky, 28, of Polk; and James Diaz, 44, of Sullivan.
Dan Tierney, a spokesman for DeWine, said Monday night that he couldn’t release the names of the other three people who have been indicted until they are in custody.