Task force agencies execute search warrant, drugs and stolen motocycles seized

GALLIPOLIS – Four people are in custody following the execution of a search warrant in Gallia County by multiple law enforcement agencies.

The Major Crimes Task Force of Gallia and Meigs Counties along with the Gallipolis City Police Department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office with Gallia County Prosecuting Attorney Jason Holdren executed a search warrant at a home on Midway Road in Bidwell.

According to Sheriff Matt Champlin, a search warrant was executed on January 13, 2017. The search was executed at a residence in Bidwell on Midway Road and according to Sheriff Champlin, several items were seized. Items seized included methamphetamines, heroin, marijuana, two stolen motorcycles and $750 in cash. The amount of the drugs seized has not been disclosed by law enforcement at this time.

“This is exactly the type of scum that is giving Southeastern Ohio a bad reputation,” said Sheriff Champlin in a statement to the Gallia Hometown Herald and added,“These types of individuals are ruining our neighborhoods; they are selling drugs in our back yards and stealing from everyone and guess what, everyone has had enough.”

Sheriff Champlin also stated that four individuals were taken into custody following the execution of the search warrant. It was noted that all of the individuals had active warrants for their arrest.

The cooperative effort of agencies was praised by Sheriff Champlin as well.

“It is this type of teamwork that is going to make a difference,” said Sheriff Champlin, “It is encouraging to see how the law enforcement agencies in our area are coming together to weed out the criminal element that has plagued our communities.”

The Major Crimes Task Force of Gallia-Meigs is a state task force under the jurisdiction the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission which is part of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, the task force was formed in September 2013. The task force is formed by the Gallia and Meigs County Sheriff’s Offices, prosecutors of both counties, along with the Middleport Police Department and the Gallipolis City Police Department.