COLUMBUS, Ohio — More than 50 people were arrested in Columbus as part of a federal operation that spanned multiple months to target drug crimes in the city.
The operation, dubbed “Operation Overdrive,” was a six-month initiative that targets criminal organizations involved in drug-related gun violence, drug poisonings and overdose deaths and drug trafficking offenses.
In February 2022, the DEA launched the first phase of the operation in 34 cities across 23 states, including Cincinnati, Cleveland and Dayton.
Mayor Andrew Ginther and officials with the Columbus Division of Police announced the results of the operation on Wednesday. They were joined by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Department of Labor and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio.
Phase two of “Operation Overdrive” launched in October 2022 and concluded April 18, 2023.
Columbus Police Deputy Chief Robert Sagle said the focus of the operation was in the East Haven neighborhood in Zone 2, which covers the southeast part of the city.
A total of 53 people were arrested during the six-month operation and officers confiscated several drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl. Sagle said more than a dozen of them were priority arrests due to their crimes.
Additionally, officers seized 50 firearms, including rifles, shotguns and handguns. Sagle said three firearm conversion devices were also recovered.
PHOTOS: Weapons, drugs seized during federal operation in Columbus area
Columbus police seized:
- 2,662.5 grams of cocaine
- 337.4 grams of fentanyl
- 42.4 grams of heroin
- 32,716.63 grams of marijuana
- 245 grams of methamphetamine
- 629.9 grams of other drugs
“CPD is always looking for new ways to leverage our partnerships to make Columbus safer,” said Sagle. “We thank the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office; Drug Enforcement Administration; Department of Labor-OIG; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio for their collaboration and expertise.”
You can watch the full press briefing in the player below.