Two arrested in Portland on drug charges

PORTLAND, Ohio – A search warrant execution has led to arrests involving alleged drug activity.

According to Meigs County Sheriff Keith Wood on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 his office executed a search warrant at residence on Ross Road in Portland. The search warrant stems from an ongoing investigation by Deputy Campbell and K9 Cheri into drug trafficking coming from the residence. Upon execution of the search warrant deputies took multiple subjects into custody in the front yard of the residence. One of the subjects who was identified as Randall Gale Nichols II, 33, of Portland attempted to throw multiple plastic baggies containing methamphetamine that were recovered by deputies after securing the individuals. The plastic baggies were numbered and packaged for distribution. Nichols was placed under arrest at that time for Possession of Methamphetamine, Trafficking in Methamphetamine, and Tampering with Evidence.

K9 Cheri with items seized during the search warrant execution. Submitted photo.

Deputies then turned their attention to another male subject that was standing with Nichols when deputies arrived on scene. Upon a search of the male, deputies located a plastic baggy also containing methamphetamine. The baggy was also numbered in the same manner as the baggies Randall Nichols threw on the ground. Deputies took Jeremiah J. Roush, 25, of Reedsville into custody for Possession of Methamphetamine. Upon a search of Jeremiah’s vehicle deputies located a plastic baggy containing 13 Oxycodone pills. Jeremiah was also charged for Aggravated Possession of Drugs.

After continuing a search of the property and residence, deputies located approximately 20 glass pipes, syringes, digital scales, and other drug paraphernalia in the residence along with a small amount of cash. The Sheriff’s Office will consult with the Meigs County Prosecutor’s Office regarding charges on other individuals located at the residence. Randall Nichols and Jeremiah Roush are being housed at the Middleport Jail awaiting their initial appearance in court.

Another view of items seized during the search warrant execution. Submitted photo.

“This is yet another example of the hard work by my deputies to get this poison off of our streets” stated Sheriff Wood. “We will continue our mission here at the Sheriff’s Office and continue to fight for the citizens of this community to make it a safer place”.

All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.