Drug raid nets dozens accused in cocaine ring

Authorities said joint investigations will continue.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
EAST LIVERPOOL -- Police Chief Mike McVay said he was tired of hearing his family ask when he was going to do something about the drug problem.
But the chief kept quiet for the last year about the local, county and federal investigation that resulted in a countywide raid Thursday.
Afterward, a satisfied McVay said, "This is not the end."
The city's drug problem began about five years ago but exploded in the last two years, he said.
"First it was cocaine, then crack. Now we're seeing so much heroin," McVay said.
The raid resulted in the arrest of eight of 20 people who were each charged with one federal count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute.
They are accused of helping to move more than five kilos of cocaine, according to Ron Bakeman of the U.S. attorney's office in Cleveland. A kilo is equal to about 2.2 pounds.
Other charges
An additional 20 people were arrested on state charges. Some 22 other people have been indicted but were not caught in the drug raids that began around 6 a.m.
Most of those arrested were from East Liverpool, the county's largest city. But others live throughout the county. Those arrested range in age from 19 to 76 and come from all levels of society, authorities said.
Local and federal authorities were pleased by the cooperative effort and agreed that investigations will continue.
A similar coordinated raid in the 1980s netted about 80 people, according to Columbiana County Prosecutor Robert Herron. But he and other officials said the new effort is significant because it focused on a distribution organization.
The investigation has led to other states. Officials did not reveal details.
Dollar amounts
Douglas E. Lamplugh, the area's Drug Enforcement Agency resident agent in charge, said each kilogram cost between $24,000 and $30,000. After being cut down by various layers of dealers, each kilo could bring a street price of about $300,000.
"Is that significant? I think it is," Lamplugh said, adding, "This is a business of greed."
Four federal wiretaps were used in the investigation within Columbiana County. Herron said local law enforcement agencies couldn't provide the manpower needed to monitor and transcribe the conversations.
The wiretap alone cost $24,500. The participating agencies also spent $19,000 on other items and $36,000 in overtime during the investigation, in addition to their salaries.
Herron said McVay and Mayor James P. Swoger took a great deal of flack while the investigation continued.
East Liverpool police Lt. Norman Curtis said, "The drug problem is really out of hand down here."
Curtis estimated that 75 percent to 80 percent of all problems that police handle are somehow tied to drugs.
Lamplugh said drugs are a societal problem, such as AIDS or hunger.
He said prevention, treatment and enforcement are needed to prevent the spread of drugs. He noted that cigarette use has declined because of a variety of efforts.
When it comes to drugs, he said, "We need a long-term solution."
wilkinson@vindy.com