Drug Sweep in Toledo

[Lucinda F. Boyd]

Sweep yields 44 arrests, $2,100 worth of drugs

A nine-hour sweep by city, state, and federal law enforcement officers meant to address crime and gang activity in Toledo netted 44 arrests and $2,100 worth of illegal drugs, authorities said.

The Toledo Police Gang Force, the Ohio Highway Patrol, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the FBI conducted the "criminal interdiction special" from 2 p.m. through 11 p.m. Thursday. The task force also served 10 felony warrants and 10 misdemeanor warrants, made 16 misdemeanor on-view arrests, issued 123 misdemeanor warrants, and issued 66 traffic citations. Authorities said they seized $800 worth of marijuana, $1,100 worth of cocaine, and $200 in other drugs, including heroin.

Police said the sweep was to combat crime and gun violence attributed to the increase in gang-related activity in the city. The police helicopter was used for increased surveillance, police said....