COLUMBUS, Ohio — The city shut down a drug house in Franklinton that had been the subject of a police investigation since 2022.
According to Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein’s Office, the property at 66 Stevens Ave. was boarded up Tuesday for alleged drug trafficking and criminal activity.
Court documents say police received complaints from community members about the property in 2022 and after an investigation by the narcotics unit, a search warrant was obtained and executed. During the search, officers found and seized cocaine.
In the following months, the unit watched the premises and saw behavior that was consistent with narcotics trafficking, according to Klein's office.
In October 2022, police were called to the property on a report of shots fired. When officers arrived, they saw what appeared to be bullet holes and broken glass on the exterior of the building.
Later that year, police stopped a vehicle after its occupants were seen parked behind the property and one of the occupants was found with apparent narcotics. Officers also talked with someone leaving the back of the house who told police that drugs were regularly purchased at the property.
Another warrant was executed in January 2023 where police found 83 grams of cocaine and a semi-automatic firearm. After the search, detectives told property owners it was their duty to abate the criminal drug activity on the premises, according to Klein's office.
In July and October 2023, officers were again called to the property on two reports of individuals at the property threatening others with guns. Later in October, and last month, the unit made covert purchases of apparent counterfeit narcotics.
“Criminal drug activity has no place in our neighborhoods where residents want nothing more than a safe, vibrant community to live and raise their families,” said Klein. “Thanks to the Division of Police, the City secured an order to board up another dangerous, crime-ridden property and improve public safety for this area of Franklinton. We will continue to take aggressive action on problem properties across Columbus because everyone deserves a safe, secure place to live.”
