The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Police accuse men of trafficking
A three-month investigation led to a Lorain drug raid Nov. 17 resulting in two arrests on charges of drug trafficking and firearm possession near schools.
At 7 a.m., the Lorain Police Narcotics and Special Investigations Unit used the Lorain Police SWAT team to execute two search warrants simultaneously at 1231 W. 24th St. and 1948 Long Ave., according to a news release.
The search warrants were the culmination of the investigation led by Detective Cielo Rodriguez into the narcotics trafficking activities of Eric Echols, 30, of Lorain, the release said.
Echols is accused of trafficking in narcotics from both locations, each being in close proximity to schools.
The West 24th Street home is near Lorain High School, 2600 Ashland Ave., and the Long Avenue house is near Hawthorne Elementary School, 610 W. 20th St.
Echols was located and arrested at the West 24th Street residence on a warrant for trafficking in cocaine, a third-degree felony.
During the search of the West 24th Street home, a Glock handgun, 30 grams of cocaine, money believed to be drug proceeds and items necessary to prepare and distribute narcotics were seized, the release said.
Echols is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to prior felony convictions, police said.
In 2012, he was convicted of participating in a criminal gang stemming from a Lorain police investigation into the M.O.B. street gang which plagued the city with violence and operated mainly in the central/west side area of the city, the release said.
During the search of the
Long Avenue home, a small amount of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia was located.
Cory Holt, 31, of Lorain, was located hiding in the basement there and arrested on a warrant for possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony.
The investigation is ongoing and Echols and Holt could face additional charges at a later date, according to the release.
Both men are in Lorain County Jail pending an appearance in Lorain Municipal Court.
The Lorain Police Narcotics Unit was assisted by the Lorain Police SWAT team, K-9 Unit, Patrol Unit, Lorain County Drug Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations and the DEA, the release said.
The Lorain Police Narcotics Unit encourages anyone who suspects that drug activity is taking place in their neighborhood to contact their office at 440-2042108 or by submitting a tip via tip 411. Those wishing to provide information may remain anonymous.