COLUMBIANA CO. 4 people are arrested in drug operation

The suspects were doing about a half-million dollars worth of business annually.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- Authorities arrested three men and a woman in a move that they say will help smash a drug ring that operated in four counties, including Columbiana and Mahoning.
Among those arrested is the man law enforcement officials are calling the ringleader, John Stoffer, 40, of Slater Road, Butler Township.
Stoffer, who already was in the Columbiana County jail on a previous charge, was charged Thursday with two counts of cocaine trafficking, each of which is a third-degree felony with a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Also arrested on cocaine trafficking charges were Kellie Strader, 35, of Lisbon; Ray Stickney, 22, of Salem; and Mark Minich, 46, who lives with Stoffer.
Indictments from Carroll Co.
They were arrested based on indictments handed up by a Carroll County grand jury, Brian McLaughlin, director of the Columbiana County Drug Task Force, said today.
Stoffer remained in the county jail this morning. The others are free on bond.
The drug trafficking ring that authorities say the four people were involved in has been operating for more than a year in Columbiana, Mahoning, Carroll and Stark counties, McLaughlin said.
He estimated that the traffickers were doing about $500,000 worth of business a year.
Thursday's arrests are the result of a nine-month probe involving several agencies, including the drug task force, the Carroll County Sheriff's Department and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & amp; Investigation.
Earlier arrest
Stoffer initially was arrested in early August after authorities raided his home. He was charged then with receiving stolen property based on allegations that $5,000 worth of stolen lumber was found on his property.
McLaughlin said more arrests will result from the investigation into the drug ring's activities.
leigh@vindy.com