(COLUMBUS, Ohio)— Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine joined representatives from the Ohio Task Force Commanders' Association (OTFCA), Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services, Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, and Buckeye State Sheriffs' Association this morning to announce the results of a statewide drug enforcement effort that resulted in several hundred arrests and millions of dollars' worth of drugs seized.
Nearly 400 law enforcement officers representing 29 OTFCA task forces participated in "Operation OTFCA," which took place across Ohio over the last several weeks. The Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation has involvement with many of the task forces.
The goal of "Operation OTFCA" was to target those trafficking drugs such as heroin, prescription drugs, and cocaine into Ohio's communities. Many task forces also provided information on treatment and addiction recovery assistance to those taken into custody.
"Because of this operation, millions of dollars' worth of drugs will never make it onto the streets and into the hands of those suffering from addiction," said Attorney General DeWine. "I applaud the local, state, and federal authorities who worked to make this initiative a success and who also work every day to make Ohio a safer place."
According to OTFCA, 108 search warrants were served across the state as part of the initiative, and 409 people were arrested on at least 920 charges, most of which were drug related. As part of the initiative, 224 heroin-related charges were filed, 140 charges involved cocaine offenses, 110 charges were filed relating to prescription drugs, 82 charges involved marijuana, and 51 charges involved methamphetamine.
As part of the operation, OTFCA task forces also reported seizing drugs with an estimated total street value of more than $5 million, which is in addition to a total of $1,330,644 in cash seized as part of the task forces' investigations.
"I have been a member of the Ohio Task Force Commanders' Association since it was formed, and I haven't met a more passionate group of law enforcement executives working to combat Ohio's drug problems through enforcement, prevention, and treatment," said Ohio Task Force Commanders' Association President Jeff Orr of the Trumbull County Sheriff's Office.
Task forces operating as part of the Ohio Task Force Commanders' Association are funded by the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services.
More information on the Ohio Task Force Commanders' Association can be found at www.otfca.net.
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Attorney General's Office Contacts:
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Jill Del Greco: 614-466-3840
OTFCA Contact:
OTFCA Presdient Jeff Orr: 330-675-7891