COLUMBUS, Ohio — In 2022, law enforcement task forces under the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission (OOCIC) confiscated more than $64 million in illegal drugs, 437 firearms, and $7.7 million in currency. These seizures, which took place throughout the state, are aimed at taking illegal narcotics, weapons, and cash off the streets before they can impact Ohio communities. This brings the total seizures during Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s first term to $239.9 million in narcotics, 1,374 firearms, and $56 million in currency.
“Every ounce of fentanyl taken off the street can prevent an overdose, just like every illegal gun seized has the potential to save a life,” said Yost, who chairs the OOCIC. “The work of our task forces is often covert, but the results do not go unnoticed.”
Task forces are formed through collaborative efforts and often involve local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. They are funded through RecoveryOhio, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Public Safety and Ohio Criminal Justice Services.
One example of a successful task force operation in 2022 was the Central Ohio Major Drug Interdiction Task Force’s seizure of four kilograms of cocaine in March. Detectives assigned to the task force received a tip about a suspicious parcel and, after further investigation, obtained a search warrant. When the parcel was opened, they found the cocaine inside.
Another successful operation occurred in May, when the HIDTA1 task force seized 1,000 grams of fentanyl and, through further investigation, an additional 7,750 grams of the drug at a residence in Columbus.
In July, the Licking, Guernsey, and Muskingum County Major Drug Interdiction Task Force, also known as the Central Ohio Drug Enforcement Task Force (CODE), received a tip from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration about a suspicious package at a parcel facility. Utilizing a K-9 unit, they were able to recover approximately 4 pounds of methamphetamine.
The Medina and Summit Counties Major Drug Interdiction Task Force, or Ohio Northeast Smuggling Enforcement Team (ONSET), had several successful seizures in 2022, including $1,054,130 in bulk currency from a vehicle in April and 2 kilograms of cocaine and 6.5 pounds of fentanyl in August.
Overall, the efforts of these task forces have made a significant impact in the fight against drug trafficking and illegal weapons in Ohio.