A small drug interdiction unit in Portage County has confiscated thousands of grams of methamphetamine and fentanyl and taken dozens of illegal firearms off the streets.
PORTAGE COUNTY, Ohio — A small drug interdiction unit in Portage County has confiscated thousands of grams of methamphetamine and fentanyl — and taken dozens of illegal firearms off the streets.
“The Portage Aggressive Crime Enforcement team,” said Deputy Dale Murray of the Portage County Sheriff’s Office. Formed in 2021, the team’s goal is to confiscate narcotics before they hit the streets.
“Fentanyl, the press pills are still coming out of Mexico. The meth. Cocaine is starting to come back, even black tar heroin,” said Portage CountyZuchowski said since 2022, the PACE unit has confiscated over $200,000 in cash, 13 vehicles, 52 guns and over 200 pounds of drugs. That includes 876 grams of cocaine, 260 grams of crack, 396 grams of fentanyl, 28 grams of heroin, 158 pounds of marijuana and 15,500 grams of methamphetamine.
Each dog goes through rigorous training before joining the force.
“They can be used either way, you know, as a drug detection canine or an aggressive canine,” Zuchowski said. Tactics and traffic stopsThat’s what happened last year when James Frymyer led officers on a high-speed chase which began in Brimfield Township. Officers used a “less-lethal” rifle to blow out the windshield, then tossed in a canister of tear gas. It’s loaded with cartridges that are similar to bean bags.
The PACE team then patrolled an eight-mile stretch of the Ohio Turnpike. They pulled drivers over, directing some to the service plaza so they could safely search their vehicles top to bottom.
“People transporting or smuggling big drugs anywhere from the West Coast all the way over here,” Murray said. “Behind stereos, behind panels, like side panels, quarter panels,” Murray said. “Yesterday, we found some meth,” Murray said. They wanted to know if he was carrying anything on him again this time.
“Today he might have it on him. It might be in his underwear. Obviously, we can’t do searches like that,” Murray said. Shortly afterwards, the PACE team busted two men carrying three pounds of marijuana and a gun hidden under the car’s hood.
The sheriff said he’s proud of his officers but it’s not a job for everyone.
“I’d put them up against any drug interdiction officer in the nation,” he said. He’s currently doing jail time. His public defender wouldn’t comment. Body found in Ohio Turnpike bridge framework remains unidentified, no signs of foul playHigh school basketball coach accused of sex crimes with student after leading team to state championshipFather kills 7 of his children plus another child in shooting after domestic dispute, police say
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