24-year-old arrested, fentanyl seized in four Ohio houses during drug bust
MARION, Ohio (WCMH) -- More than 900 grams of suspected fentanyl stashed within four houses were seized by Ohio law enforcement agents on Wednesday.
As part of a months-long drug trafficking investigation, the Marion-Metrich Drug Task Force and other local agencies executed search warrants at four residences -- three in Marion and one in Mount Gilead -- that resulted in a 24-year-old's arrest and the seizure of 941 grams of fentanyl, three firearms and a drug press, the multi-agency task force said in a news release.
Agents arrested Christopher Payne Jr., of Marion, and charged him with two first-degree felony counts of fentanyl trafficking, the task force said.
"This investigation removed a major supplier from the community and we know that we are all safer because of it," Marion Police Chief Jay McDonald said in a statement.
Search warrants were executed at three Marion residences, located on the 800 block of Adams Street, the 800 block of Central Drive and the 600 block of Pearl Street. A house on the 5200 block of Township Road 59 near Mount Gilead was also searched, the task force said.
Payne is in custody at the Multi-County Correction Center, and additional charges may be pursued against him at a later date.