On December 8th, 2021, law enforcement officers from the Marion Special Response Team, Marion City Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office executed a search warrant in the 700 block of Creston Avenue after an investigation by detectives from the MARMET Drug Task Force. Members of the Marion Special Response Team discovered the home had been barricaded by the occupants to prevent entry by officers. Detectives seized 70.3 grams of suspected Heroin/Fentanyl that had been broken down into 159-unit doses, 27.7 grams of suspected crack cocaine that had been broken down into 63 bindles and suspected Ecstasy pills. There was also $1,295.00 in cash seized. The following two were arrested during the execution of this search warrant.
Both men were arrested and charged with Trafficking in a Fentanyl-Related Compound, Trafficking in Heroin, Trafficking in Cocaine. This case will be forwarded to Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan for the filing of formal charges.
Marion Police Chief Jay McDonald stated, “This investigation, and the resulting seizure of these dangerous drugs has made Marion safer. I am proud of the work the detectives from MARMET and of the officers and deputies on the Marion Special Response in this case. MARMET will continue to work to remove traffickers from our neighborhoods and be responsive to TIPS called by concerned citizens.” This investigation is a direct result of TIPS called in by the citizens of Marion City & Marion County. Marion County Sheriff Matt Bayles said, “This is yet another example of the teamwork between MARMET, Marion City Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.” Sheriff Bayles also stated, “It is my hope that this is an example to others that come to our county to sell drugs that we have a zero tolerance for people poisoning our community.” The MARMET Drug Task Force is made of members of the Marion City Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Marion County Prosecutors Office. Marion County citizens are encouraged to call in crime tips involving criminal activity to 740-375-TIPS (8477) or online at https://mariontips.org. Tipsters may remain anonymous if they choose.