News
Operation Heat Brings Hundreds Of Traffic Stops, Drug Seizures
By: Susan Tebben | The Athens Messenger
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Operation Heat, an interdiction program conducted Thursday by the Athens County Sheriff's Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Athens Police Department, the Athens County Dog Warden and numerous other agencies, brought hundreds of traffic stops and the confiscation of bulk amounts of drugs.
Law enforcement in Athens County released a preliminary report that said 360 traffic stops occurred between 12 p.m. Thursday and 12 a.m. that night.
More than 200 grams of cocaine were seized along with 161 unit doses of heroin, 3.5 pounds of marijuana brownies and "small amounts" of marijuana, pills and drug paraphernalia, according to a news release by the Athens County Sheriff's Office.
The state highway patrol reported finding four grams of hashish, 30 grams of marijuana and seven illegal prescription pills.
“I am satisfied with the results of today’s efforts,” Kelly said Thursday night.
Two vehicles were also seized and five criminal charges were filed. Seven arrests were made in by law enforcement officers.
Six canine units were also included in the operation.
"It was a pretty busy night, and we called in law enforcement from many other areas to help out," said Sgt. Chris Goss, of the Athens Post of the Highway Patrol. "Usually we only have two or three units out working calls so this was a big help to us."
In specific cases for the night, 131 unit doses of heroin were seized during a traffic stop by Deputy Jimmy Childs on LeMaster Road in The Plains. John Wagoner, 54, of 7999 Hover Road in Athens, was arrested and charged with aggravated trafficking in drugs.
The investigation continued and a search warrant was executed on Derek Mays, 32, of 9 W. 2nd. St. Apt. 4 in The Plains. During the search, two units of heroin were found in a 2006 Dodge belonging to Doug K. Coen, 44, of Stewart. Coen was charged with possession and taken to the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail.
Mays was allegedly found later at another residence with 30 unit doses of heroin. He was charged with possession of a bulk amount of heroin, a fourth-degree felony, along with tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony. Mays was taken to jail as well.
Deputy Jen Atkins stopped a vehicle on Beech Road in The Plains and seized 3.5 pounds of suspected marijuana brownies after a canine unit indicated on the vehicle. The driver was a 16-year-old male from Albany, along with a 15-year-old passenger.
The juveniles were not arrested and charges are pending lab results.
"Athens County can expect more interdiction as our efforts continue," Kelly said.