Pubdate: Thu, 04 Aug 2011 Source: Middletown Journal, The (OH) Copyright: 2011 Middletown Journal Contact: http://www.middletownjournal.com/o/content/oh/index/opinions/write_letter/ Website: http://www.middletownjournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2582 Author: Lauren Pack, Staff Writer JOINT DRUG ROUNDUP LEADS TO 44 ARRESTS Grand Jury Hands Down Secret Indictments Against 68 People. HAMILTON - A joint drug roundup operation this week has led to the arrest of 44 people by Wednesday afternoon on felony charges, according to the Butler County Sheriff's Office. The Butler County Prosecutor's Office, the warrants division and regional narcotics unit with the sheriff's office, county probation department, United States Marshals, and police departments from West Chester Twp., Fairfield Twp., Monroe and Oxford all participated in the operation that began Tuesday. Most arrests were made in Butler County, but some arrests did extend into the Dayton, Cincinnati and Fostoria. A total of 69 secret indictments were handed down Monday by a Butler County grand jury for 68 people, all resulting from numerous undercover drug operations over the past year. "This is probably the biggest one we have ever done since I have been sheriff," said Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones. "It's the most people arrested at one time." He pointed to a recent prostitution sting in Hamilton that resulted in eight arrests and massive amount of scrap metal thefts throughout the county as reasons for the drug sweep. "It's all tied to drugs," said Jones, who added the indictments are primarily for suspects accused of selling drugs to undercover officers. "Most of these are trafficking charges." Sgt. Todd Langmeyer, commander of the sheriff's office drug task force said undercover buys involved all types of drugs, including heroin, cocaine, marijuana, crack and prescription drugs. "We got a whole lot of pills," Langmeyer said. He said he is hopeful the massive amount of arrests will slow down drug activity and supplies for "a while." With indictments in hand, 25 law enforcement officers began serving warrants early Tuesday. "We are constantly fighting the war on drugs, and having this cooperative effort from all those involved is great," said Jones. "These secret indictments are the result of many hours of undercover work spanning many months of investigations, with a tremendous amount of support by numerous agencies. Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser said the indictment list would be unsealed in about a week. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.