AKRON, Ohio (WJW) — Fifteen people suspected of running a large-scale drug trafficking ring in Akron are now under federal indictment, police announced on Friday, July 17.
Investigators said the suspects operated a “drug trafficking pipeline” that ran from Akron to Pennsylvania, according to the release.
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Authorities seized more than 15 pounds of methamphetamine and 50 grams of fentanyl — the latter is enough for about 25,000 lethal doses, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration — as well as two handguns.
The investigation lasted 15 months and included Akron police, Summit County sheriff’s deputies, Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers, DEA agents and U.S. Marshals, according to the release.
Fifteen people were indicted in Northern Ohio’s federal district court on charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine:
- Clarence Daniels, 44
- Larry Finch, 43
- Nicholas Helfrick, 45
- Ricardo Allison, 44
- Sheldon Bell, 36
- John Townsend, 42
- Bryce Dittman, 27
- Tyler Smith, 28
- Anthony Raunikar, 45
- Marcus Nixon, 45
- John Koza, 45
- Earl Breckenridge, 57
- Jazzmin Thomas, 30
- Samantha Lentz, 31
- Craig Consilio, 62
Another two people — not named in the release — were also indicted at the state level on drug charges related to the investigation…