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Marvin Thomas/Anthony Duvernay
Attorney General Mike DeWine
Two Face Drug
Charges Following Seizure of More than $300,000 in Heroin
(LIMA, Ohio)— Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, Allen County Sheriff
Samuel Crish, Lima Police Chief Kevin Martin, and Allen County
Prosecutor Juergen Waldick announced today that two Allen County
residents are facing multiple charges following what local
investigators call one of the largest heroin seizures in Allen County
history.
Marvin Thomas, 45, and Anthony Duvernay, 39, both of Lima, were
arrested by members of the Lima Allen County Interdiction Task Force
earlier this month, after an ongoing heroin trafficking investigation
uncovered two kilos of heroin with an estimated street value of
$330,000. Investigators believe the pair were involved in bringing the
drugs into Ohio from out of state to distribute locally.
A special Allen County grand jury on Friday indicted both suspects on
charges of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, trafficking in
heroin, possession of heroin, and illegal manufacture of drugs, with
several of the charges carrying major drug offender and forfeiture
specifications. Thomas is also facing an additional charge of having
weapons while under disability.
The Lima Allen County Interdiction Task Force, which is made up of
officers with the Allen County Sheriff's Office and Lima Police
Department, was created last year as part of the Ohio Attorney
General's Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission (OOCIC) in an
effort to stop the flow of heroin and other drugs along I-75 through
Allen County. The task force is funded by more than $500,000 in
grants issued as part of the Ohio Attorney General's Safe Neighborhoods
Initiative.
"Those who choose to bring heroin into Ohio's communities are taking a
great risk because investigators on task forces like the Lima Allen
County Interdiction Task Force are watching," said Attorney General
DeWine. "Investigators across the state are working hard to confiscate
heroin, keep it away from those suffering from addiction, and hold
traffickers accountable for their crimes."
"Heroin is both illegal and extremely dangerous. The seizure of
this massive quantity of heroin demonstrates what can be achieved by
multiple law enforcement agencies working together," said Allen County
Sheriff Samuel Crish. "This seizure is a win for local law enforcement
and a win for the people of Allen County. The Allen County
Sheriff’s Office will continue to devote every available resource to
this ongoing fight against drug trafficking in our community."
"This very large seizure of heroin kept this incredibly dangerous drug
from reaching the streets of our community, where it would have very
likely resulted in the deaths of many people," said Lima Police Chief
Kevin Martin. "This seizure would not have been possible without
the cooperative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies. The
cooperation and collaboration of the officers from the various agencies
serves as an example to everyone and demonstrates what can be
accomplished when we work together."
"Over the last year we have seen an incredible increase in heroin
abuse. That abuse has caused a historic upswing in theft offenses, home
invasions as well as tragic loss of life. Recently our multi-agency
task force was able to intercept a very large quantity of heroin bound
for the streets of our community. The seizure was made possible through
the tireless efforts and dedication of the members of the task force.
They should be commended for a job well done," said Allen County
Prosecutor Juergen Waldick.
The case is still under investigation, and authorities anticipate
additional indictments and arrests in connection with the case in the
future. Prosecutors with the Allen County Prosecutor's Office
will prosecute the case.
Authorities with the West Central Ohio Crime Task Force, Ohio State
Highway Patrol, and Federal Bureau of Investigation assisted with the
investigation.
Established in 1986, the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission
assists local law enforcement agencies in combating organized crime and
corrupt activities. The commission is comprised of members of the
law enforcement community and is chaired by the Ohio Attorney
General. In 2014, authorities working in OOCIC task forces
across the state seized more than $23 million worth of drugs and more
than $5 million in U.S. currency.
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