Law enforcement officials charged dozens of people and seized drugs and firearms in a sting operation between October 2022 and March 2023 on Columbus' southeast side in an effort to combat drugs and violent crime.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Columbus Police and U.S. attorney's office worked together to combat drug-related violent crime in what they're calling Operation Overdrive. The agencies arrested 53 unnamed individuals on violence, drug-trafficking and fraud charges. Officials seized more than 50 firearms and more than 80 pounds of illegal drugs, of which more than 90% was marijuana.
The operation focused on the Easthaven neighborhood south of Interstate 70 and north of Refugee Road was the focus of the operation.
At a press conference Wednesday, DEA Agent Orville Greene said the Easthaven neighborhood was identified as an area with one of the highest rates of drug-related violence and overdoses.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said those arrested were members of gangs and called them "the worst of the worst."
"The criminal gangs that were the focus of our campaign in Easthaven were dealt a major blow thanks to the combined contributions of all of our partners," Ginther said.
Ginther encouraged people to report violent, drug-related crime, especially as the city sees an uptick in homicides this year. So far in 2023, Columbus has had 53 homicides.
Columbus was quietly added to Phase 2 of Operation Overdrive along with 57 other cities. Cincinnati, Cleveland and Dayton were included in Phase 1 of the operation, which the DEA announced in February 2022.
Greene said the fentanyl seized, which was a little under a pound, was enough to kill thousands. Law enforcement also seized cocaine, methamphetamines, heroin and oxycodone.
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio Kenneth Parker alluded that Operation Overdrive would not be the end of the effort to crack down on drug-related violent crime. Parker said it should be considered a warning.
"Talk to your loved ones. Explain to them that violence is not the way. Help them to understand Operation Overdrive is not the only one that will be applied, and they can find their loved ones in front of federal prosecutors," Parker said.
