Ohio Highway Patrol steps up drug arrests in first half of 2014

Staff report

COLUMBUS

In the first six months of 2014, the Ohio State Highway Patrol investigated a wide range of felony offenses and increased total drug arrests from the year before.

From January through June, troopers made 5,652 drug arrests, representing a 19 percent increase compared with 2013 and a 44 percent increase compared with the previous three-year average, the patrol reports.

“Every day our troopers are out on the roadways arresting felons and removing drugs from our communities,” said Colonel Paul A. Pride, patrol superintendent.

Troopers made several of the largest drug seizures in highway-patrol history in the past six months. A traffic stop in Preble County led to the second-largest marijuana seizure on record with 2,330 pounds, worth an estimated $11.6 million.

Troopers seized the third- largest amount of prescription pills in Allen County and the second-largest amount of nonprescription pills in Hancock County.

Motorists are reminded to call #677 to report impaired drivers or drug activity.

For a complete statistical analysis, visit www.statepatrol.ohio.gov/doc/2014_Jan-Jun_FelonyAndDrug.pdf.