Two arrested following drug trafficking investigation

MIDDLEPORT, Ohio – Two people have been arrested following an investigation into alleged drug trafficking in Middleport.

According to a Meigs County Sheriff Scott Fitch and Middleport Police Chief Mony Wood, a search warrant was executed at 371 S. Second Avenue in Middleport in the late evening hours of Feb. 26. Agents with the Major Crimes Task Force, Meigs County Sheriff’s Office deputies, and Middleport Police Department officers worked together on the warrant execution in what is being called an “extensive investigation into drug trafficking by task force agents” in a joint statement from Sheriff Fitch and Chief Wood.

Hollie Dugan, 37, of Middleport, was arrested at the scene. She is charged with Possession of Drugs, Trafficking in Drugs, and Tampering with Evidence, all felony crimes.

Also taken into custody was Courtney Haggy, 35, of Racine for outstanding warrants through Meigs County Court and Syracuse Mayor’s Court.

According to the joint statement, upon entering the residence by deputies and task force agents, individuals refused to come to the door and were observed by agents fleeing inside the residence to the upper level of the house. Agents, deputies, and officers made entry into the residence, located three individuals upstairs, and took them into custody.

During the search of the residence task force agents located items indicative of drug trafficking, according to the statement. Located inside the residence were suspected methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and numerous pills. Scales, baggies, and cash were also seized from the residence.

After the completion of the search warrant, one individual had tampered with evidence and was concealing suspected heroin/fentanyl in their body cavity. The suspected heroin/fentanyl was seized as evidence after being turned over by the suspect. One individual was released at the scene after the completion of the search warrant.

“This is a residence that we have received numerous complaints on,” Stated Sheriff Fitch. “I am happy to see it shut down for the foreseeable future. I ask for the community’s continued support in providing us with your tips and information to help combat the drug problem in our county. If you see something, please say something.”

“We are done with drugs coming into our communities,” stated Middleport Police Chief Mony Wood. “I am proud of our task force and the work they are doing to combat the drug problem in our area. We have great officers in the task force who are dedicated and determined to make our area a better place for everyone.”

The Southeast Major Crimes Task Force is part of the Ohio Attorney General’s Organized Crime Investigation Commission and is comprised of representatives of the Washington, Morgan, Noble, Monroe, Meigs and Athens County Sheriff’s Offices; the Marietta, Belpre, Glouster, Middleport, McConnelsville and Nelsonville Police Departments; the Washington, Morgan, Noble, Monroe, Meigs and Athens County Prosecutor’s Offices; and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.