Thirty-three people have been indicted on state and federal charges. Authorities say the organization brought millions of dollars of heroin and other drugs from Chicago to Akron, for distribution in Ravenna, Kent and the surrounding areas.
“This was an organization that was supplying this heroin all throughout this region,” said Steven Dettelbach, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. He said the multi-agency investigation stretched back several years.
Fifteen people face federal heroin trafficking charges, and some face weapons charges, too. Eighteen people are charged with a variety of state crimes in Portage County court, including trafficking in heroin and other drugs and manufacturing meth.
“The streets of Ravenna, the streets of Akron, the streets of Kent, are all a little bit safer today than they were on Monday before this happened,” Dettelbach said.
He added that although law enforcement actions like this one are important in battling the opiate addiction crisis, prevention and treatment are also crucial.