Ohio task forces seize more than $92 million in narcotics in 2024
On Tuesday, Ohio Attorney General Yost announced that law enforcement task forces organized under the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission (OOCIC) confiscated more than $92 million in illegal drugs in 2024, along with 560 firearms and $4.7 million in currency.
“The number of illegal drugs and weapons taken off our streets this year is impressive thanks to our drug task forces, but the true measure of their success is the countless lives spared from overdoses and addiction,” Yost said. “I’m grateful to every sheriff and police chief, along with our federal partners, who fuel our efforts to thwart drug trafficking.”
Under AG Yost’s leadership, OOCIC task forces have seized more than 288,000 prescription pills, 1,154 pounds of fentanyl, 1,994 pounds of cocaine and 2,334 firearms since 2019.
Under OOCIC’s direction, task forces are formed through collaborative efforts and often involve local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Specifically, major drug interdiction task forces operate throughout the state with a focus on seizing illegal narcotics, weapons and cash before they impact Ohio communities.
OOCIC major drug task forces operate in 17 Ohio counties, serving 52.6% of the state’s population.
“Our HSI agents across Ohio are committed to the OOCIC task forces that keep drugs off our streets and hold offenders accountable,” said HSI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Angie M. Salazar. “These significant accomplishments demonstrate that when law enforcement agencies work together at all levels, we deliver public safety results that protect the communities we serve.”
Several major drug task forces are funded through RecoveryOhio in concert with the Ohio Department of Public Safety and Ohio Criminal Justice Services.
“The number of overdose deaths in Ohio has dropped substantially for two consecutive years, thanks in large part to the work of the the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission’s task forces,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “My administration is proud to support these major drug interdiction task forces as part of our comprehensive plan to save lives, fight drug addiction, and hold traffickers accountable.”
Trending Narcotics
Methamphetamine quantities surged in 2024, thanks in part to a record-shattering seizure made in August.
The Central Ohio OOCIC/HIDTA Major Drug Interdiction Task Force and the Ohio State Highway Patrol stopped a commercial vehicle in Madison County carrying 300 pounds of methamphetamine, 17.6 pounds of cocaine and 30 pounds of marijuana on Aug. 3.
In total, the contraband had an approximate street value of $14.6 million and is believed to be the largest methamphetamine interdiction in state history.
For a second year in a row, task forces saw a notable increase in the quantity of psilocybin mushrooms seized.
A November seizure by the Hamilton County Major Drug Task Force highlights the trending narcotic. In a single seizure, 32 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms were taken off the streets by the task force.