Columbus, IN — On Wednesday morning, a media briefing was hosted by Acting U.S. Attorney John E. Childress and Bartholomew County Sheriff Matthew A. Myers.
This was in reference to an extensive drug trafficking organization responsible for selling large quantities of illegal drugs in Bartholomew County and the surrounding area. During this investigation, agents and officers with the Bartholomew County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team identified members of a Mexican-based drug trafficking organization who were sending large quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana to Columbus and Seymour according to officials.
“Operation Columbus Day” netted approximately 114 pounds of methamphetamine, 4 pounds of heroin/fentanyl, and 28 pounds of marijuana. In addition to drug seizures, approximately $224,124 in US currency was seized as drug proceeds. Agents/officers also recovered approximately 115 firearms. Sheriff Myers noted that this is the largest total bust of it’s kind in Bartholomew County.
So far, 36 individuals were federally indicted through the US Attorney’s Office and 23 additional individuals were prosecuted through the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office on charges ranging from possession with intent to distribute to felony possession of a firearm.
Attending with Acting US Attorney Childress, SDIN at the press briefing was Bartholomew County Sheriff Matthew A. Myers, Chief Deputy Major Chris Lane, Bartholomew County Deputy Prosecutor Gregory Long, DEA Assistant Special Agency in Charge J. Michael Gannon, Columbus Police Chief Mike Richardson, City of Columbus Executive Director of Administration and Community Development Mary Ferdon, ATF Special Agent Rene Marano, USPIS Postal Inspector Team Leader DeMarkus Calhoun, and Seymour Police Assistant Chief Greg O’Brien.
