News
Two Arrested in Alleged Illegal Narcotics Trade
By: WOUB Staff Writer
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A Westerville man and a Pataskala woman were arrested on Athens County warrants after an investigation into alleged narcotics trade, according to law enforcement.
Eric J. Miller, 36, was arrested on Wednesday on a charge of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, a charge out of the Athens County Municipal Court and a warrant out of Meigs County Common Pleas Court charging him with possession of heroin, trafficking in heroin and failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer, according to a release by the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office.
Kristin Smith, 26, was arrested on a charge of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.
The arrests were made after “several months” of investigation into alleged trade of illegal narcotics by a suspect that was known only as “E,” the release stated.
“‘E’ had long been a known, but unattainable target,” Prosecutor Keller Blackburn stated in the release. “He is now in custody and can answer for the allegations against him.”
The Athens County Prosecutor worked with the Columbus Police Department’s Zone 3 response team on Tuesday and Wednesday, gathering information and eventually making the arrests. CPD was contacted after the investigation moved from Licking County to West Columbus.
A search warrant was conducted Wednesday and early Thursday on Miller’s Westerville residence and his vehicle. The release did not specify what, if anything, was found during the search.
The case remains under investigation.
“The Athens County Prosecutor’s Office has information and will be working to track down the rest of those involved in this enterprise,” the release stated.
Agencies involved in the original investigations include the Meigs-Gallia County Task Force, Fairfield-Hocking-Athens Major Crimes Unit, and The Athens County Prosecutor’s Office.