More than $200,000 in Heroin, Cocaine seized as part of ongoing drug trafficking investigation

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TOLEDO, Ohio – Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and members of the Toledo Bulk Cash Smuggling Task Force announced Friday the arrest of a California man after the search of a Toledo storage unit uncovered heroin and cocaine with an estimated street value of more than $200,000.

Task force members arrested Olemuel Ricks, 26, of Inglewood, California, on felony heroin and cocaine trafficking and possession charges after a drug trafficking investigation led them to the storage unit on Tuesday.

A search of the unit revealed 1.5 kilos of heroin with an estimated street value of $146,400 and a half kilo of cocaine with an estimated street value of $65,400. A firearm and $38,500 in cash were also found.

“Drug addiction is plaguing every corner of Ohio, and state, local, and federal law enforcement are working together every day to identify those bringing drugs into our neighborhoods,” said Attorney General DeWine.

“Seizing drugs and drug proceeds ensures dangerous narcotics are not introduced into our communities and removes the profit incentive from criminals, hampering their ability to fund further illicit activities,” said Special Agent in Charge of HSI Detroit Marlon Miller. “This case is a yet another prime example of local and federal authorities working together to identify, disrupt, and dismantle criminal organizations.”

The Toledo Bulk Cash Smuggling Task Force is part of the Ohio Attorney General’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigation Commission (OOCIC) in partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The task force consists of authorities from the Toledo Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol, Customs Border Patrol Protection Air and Marine Operations, and Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office.

Established in 1986, the OOCIC assists local law enforcement agencies in combating organized crime and corrupt activities. The commission is composed of members of the law enforcement community and is chaired by the Ohio Attorney General. In 2015, authorities working in OOCIC task forces across the state seized more than $28.5 million worth of drugs and more than $4.4 million in U.S. currency.

Staff report

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