BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio — Detectives with the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Interdiction Unit launched a drug trafficking investigation April 30 at a local hotel, leading to the arrest of four Youngstown men on multiple felony drug charges.
The investigation involved detectives assigned to the Ohio Attorney General’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, along with members of the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, the St. Clairsville Police Department, and the Barnesville Police Department.
Authorities said detectives attempted to take four suspects into custody as they approached the suspects’ vehicle. During the encounter, two of the suspects fled on foot before being quickly apprehended by investigators.
Arrested were Michael Claytor, 19; Eric Jones, 18; Rishun Jones, 22; and Terry Hopkins, 23, all of Youngstown.
All four were booked into the Belmont County Jail on charges including possession and trafficking in fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Claytor and Rishun Jones also were charged with resisting arrest following the foot pursuit.
Detectives seized approximately 17 grams of cocaine, 72 grams of fentanyl, and 306 grams of methamphetamine during the investigation.
Belmont County Sheriff James Zusack said the investigation remains ongoing and additional arrests are anticipated.
“The Criminal Interdiction Unit of the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office will continue to investigate anyone who brings illegal narcotics into Belmont County,” Zusack said in a statement.
The sheriff also thanked members of the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, St. Clairsville Police Department, and Barnesville Police Department for their cooperation in combating illegal narcotics trafficking in the region.
