What started as a simple warrant service turned into a major drug and weapons seizure in rural Scioto County — and investigators say the case is far from over.
The Southern Ohio Organized and Major Crimes Task Force, working with the U.S. Marshals Service, raided a property at 68 Smith Road in Otway on October 29, 2025, and uncovered a staggering amount of contraband.
One Warrant, One Big Surprise
Task force agents arrived to serve an active arrest warrant, but while searching the property they spotted something suspicious — bags of what appeared to be methamphetamine, along with digital scales and packaging materials commonly used in drug trafficking.
When the property owner consented to a further search, investigators hit the jackpot.
What They Found
Inside the same building, officers located:
- More than 300 grams of methamphetamine
- 14 firearms
- Digital scales and packaging gear
All evidence was seized on the spot and turned over for processing. The street value of the drugs is expected to total tens of thousands of dollars.
No Names Yet — But We’re Watching
The Scioto County Sheriff’s Office has not yet released the name of anyone arrested in connection with the operation, and no formal charges have been filed as of press time.
Officials say the evidence will be presented to a Scioto County Grand Jury, and indictments could follow soon.
You can bet we’ll be watching those filings closely to see who ends up facing charges in this major bust.
The Team Behind the Operation
The Southern Ohio Organized and Major Crimes Task Force includes multiple agencies working together to fight drug trafficking across the region.
This operation was supported by:
- 🚔 The Scioto County Sheriff’s Office
- 👮♀️ The Portsmouth Police Department
- ⚖️ Scioto County Prosecutor Shane Tieman
- 🕊️ The Ohio Organized Crime Investigation Commission
- 💪 And the U.S. Marshals Service (S.O.F.A.S.T.)
The Bigger Picture
This bust underscores how deeply drugs and illegal weapons remain intertwined in Southern Ohio’s ongoing fight against trafficking.
The investigation continues — and more arrests may follow.
👉 Anyone with information or tips about the case can contact the Southern Ohio Organized and Major Crimes Task Force tip line at (740) 820-6404. Calls can be made confidentially and anonymously.
