Woman Wanted in Connection with Drug Investigation Case

Woman Wanted in Connection with Drug Investigation Case

RUTLAND TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Multiple agencies have been involved in a drug investigation and are seeking an individual wanted in connection with the investigation.

According to Meigs County Sheriff Keith O. Wood, in the early morning hours of Friday, September 10, 2021, agents with the Major Crimes Task Force executed a search warrant at 33817 Romine Road in Rutland Township. The search warrant came after an investigation into a major drug trafficking hub in Meigs County located at the address on Romine Road. Task Force Agents secured the search warrant and were assisted in the execution of the search warrant by the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office, Middleport Police Department, Pomeroy Police Department, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

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In a statement from the Sheriff’s Office, “Upon execution of the search warrant agents located approximately a half-pound of methamphetamine, prescription drugs, marijuana, firearms, digital scales, drug abuse instruments and other drug paraphernalia. Agents discovered that the suspect in this case was not home at the time entry was made into the residence. Charges have been filed on Lalenya Hankla, 51, of Rutland for Possession of Methamphetamine, a Felony of the First Degree and Trafficking in Methamphetamine, also a Felony of the First Degree. Warrants have been issued for Lalenya Hankla’s arrest through Meigs County Court.”

​“If Mrs. Hankla is reading this, you need to turn yourself into my office immediately. We are actively seeking your whereabouts and you will be taken into custody.” Stated Sheriff Wood. “The amount of methamphetamine seized in this case is a large amount for our area and Mrs. Hankla was pushing this product to our local addicts and other drug dealers in bulk amounts. The last chapter of the book in this case is to take Mrs. Hankla and bring her before the court so that she will be held accountable for her actions, and that is exactly what we’re going to do,” stated Sheriff Wood.

​Sheriff Wood asks that anyone with information on Lalenya Hankla’s whereabouts should contact the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office at 740-992-3371 or the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 740-992-4682. You can remain anonymous.

​The Washington, Morgan, Noble, Monroe and Meigs Major Crimes Task Force is part of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Organized Crime Investigation Commission and is comprised of representatives of Post 84 of the Ohio State Highway Patrol; Washington, Monroe, Morgan, Noble and Meigs County Sheriff’s Offices; the Marietta, Belpre, Middleport and McConnelsville Police Departments; and the Washington, Morgan, Noble and Meigs County Prosecutor’s Offices.

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