ASHTABULA, Ohio — Multiple people were arrested earlier this week in Ashtabula following a multi-agency narcotics operation targeting drug hotspots in the city.
According to Ashtabula police, several search warrants were executed across the city on May 1 and 2.
The first location authorities searched was a residence in the 1400 block of West 8th Street. Authorities said they seized marijuana, heroin, hash oil and a firearm. They also located around $3,000 in cash and various ammunition, according to authorities.
Josh, Turner, 36, was taken into custody and charged with trafficking in narcotics, possessing criminal tools, tampering with evidence and having weapons under disability, authorities said.
A residence just a few blocks away, located in the 1100 block of West 9th Street, was also searched. Steven Zepeda, 39, was taken into custody and charged with trafficking in narcotics, possession of drugs, and possession of criminal tools, according to authorities.
A third search warrant was executed in the 1100 block of Hamlin Drive. Authorities said they found “items consistent with trafficking in narcotics, along with suspected methamphetamine.”
Charges are pending for the individuals allegedly involved in that search warrant, authorities said.
During another incident, Daryl Patterson, 39, was taken into custody when he allegedly tried to flee from police in the 4200 block of Cleveland Avenue. He was arrested on an outstanding warrant and a charge of obstructing official business, authorities said.
Two traffic stops in the city resulted in the arrests of Christopher Boucher, 32, for allegedly possessing heroin and Samuel Pinkston, 36, on a warrant out of Lorain County and for allegedly possessing marijuana.
Five other individuals were arrested on outstanding warrants. Their names have not been released.
The operation was conducted by the Ashtabula Police Department, Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, U.S. Marshals Service, Adult Parole Authority, Adult Probation, Geneva Police Department, Conneaut Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
