UPDATE | DeWine announces more than 100 indictments in drug bust

EAST LIVERPOOL — The state Attorney General’s office today indicted 100 people for bringing enough fentanyl, carefentanil, heroin and cocaine into Columbiana County to cause 1.35 million overdoses in Columbiana alone.

Attorney General Mike DeWine announced the indictments as part of “Operation Big Oak,” (Breaking Into Gangs/Opiate Addiction Knockdown), which three Cuyahoga County men as leaders of the Down The Way street gang that was funneling the drugs into the county.

Additionally, 51 other traffickers who were termed “mid level” by the attorney general’s office from Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Tuscarawas and Mahoning counties were also indicted. Nine of them are charged with engaging in a pattern of a corrupt activity, which carries a mandatory 11-year sentence upon conviction.

The 100 charged face 765 counts ranging from engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, participating in a criminal gang, aggravated trafficking in drugs, trafficking in heroin and cocaine, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.