Arrests made following traffic stop, drugs not to be tolerated according to Sheriff Wood

Arrests made following traffic stop, drugs not to be tolerated according to Sheriff Wood

POMEROY, Ohio – A traffic stop has led to an alleged drug arrest and another arrest for an active warrant.

According to Meigs County Sheriff Keith Wood, on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 deputies with his office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle travelling from State Route 7 into the Village of Middleport for a marked lanes violation and left of center. During the traffic stop the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office K9 indicated to the odor of drugs within the vehicle and a probable cause search was conducted. The driver of the vehicle, Derrick A. Ratcliff, 37, of Middleport was arrested at the scene for having possession of drug paraphernalia. The passenger in the vehicle, Allen Michael Hinson, 26, of Cheshire was arrested at the scene for having an active warrant for his arrest.

“We will not tolerate drug trafficking in Meigs County. If you continue to deal these illicit drugs in our backyard you will be caught and dealt with accordingly by my office and our court system. If you choose not to heed my advice then you had better be looking over your shoulder, because we‘re coming.”

-Sheriff Keith Wood

Based on the traffic stop and intel previously received, deputies were able to obtain probable cause for a search warrant of the home where Derrick A. Ratcliff resides which was located at 38044 Zuspan Hollow Road in Middleport. A search warrant was executed in the late evening hours of Tuesday, April 6, 2021 on the residence. During the search deputies allegedly seized a large amount of suspected methamphetamine as well as digital scales, baggies, and other drug paraphernalia items. Deputies reported that the suspected methamphetamine was packaged for sales and divided into separate baggies. Also seized from the residence were two firearms, one of which was a semi-automatic rifle equipped with a silencer. 

Sheriff Wood had a word for those involved in drug activity in Meigs County, “We will not tolerate drug trafficking in Meigs County. If you continue to deal these illicit drugs in our backyard you will be caught and dealt with accordingly by my office and our court system. If you choose not to heed my advice then you had better be looking over your shoulder, because we’re coming.”