One Arrested, Alleged Drugs Found Following Search Warrant Execution

One Arrested, Alleged Drugs Found Following Search Warrant Execution

POMEROY, Ohio – One person has been arrested following the execution of a search warrant at a residence in Chester Township.

According to Sheriff Keith Wood, a search warrant was conducted in the 36000 block of New Hope Road in Chester Township on December 10. Sheriff Wood reported agents with the Major Crimes Task Force of Gallia Meigs with the assistance of the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office secured a search warrant for the residence with the assistance of Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney James Stanley.  Sheriff Wood reported just before midnight on Tuesday night Agents with the Major Crimes Task Force, Deputies from the Meigs Sheriff’s Office and the Middleport Police Department made entry into the residence.

According to a press release, “During the search of the residence agents seized methamphetamine, heroin and prescription pills along with a large amount of cash and drug paraphernalia.”

Agents arrested Matthew Burke, 48, of Pomeroy for a warrant from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Burke waived his Rule 4 extradition and was turned over to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

Additional charges are pending on several subjects and once the case is completed it will be presented to the Meigs County Prosecutors Office for Grand Jury considerations.

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 and consists of the Meigs and Gallia County Sheriff’s Offices, the Gallipolis City Police Department, the Middleport Police Department and both the Meigs and Gallia County Prosecutor’s Offices.

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