A late-afternoon drug raid at a 3rd Street home ended with a 71-year-old Portsmouth man behind bars and officers seizing suspected cocaine, cash, and evidence of drug trafficking.
Portsmouth Police Chief Debby Brewer and Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman announced the arrest following an investigation by the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force.
At approximately 5 p.m. July 1, task force investigators, backed by the Portsmouth Police Department SWAT Team, executed a narcotics search warrant at the home.
During the search, officers reported finding:
- Approximately 12 grams of suspected cocaine
- Digital scales
- $2,530 in cash
- Other items investigators say are commonly associated with drug trafficking
Police took Roger Jones, 71, of Portsmouth, into custody at the scene.
Jones is charged with trafficking in drugs and possession of drugs. Both are third-degree felonies.
He was booked into the Scioto County Jail and was scheduled to appear in Portsmouth Municipal Court on July 2.
The case will also be sent to the Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office for presentation to a grand jury, where additional felony charges could be considered.
Court and arrest records show Jones has previous arrests involving drug abuse, receiving stolen property, criminal trespass, having an open container, and driving without a license.
Chief Brewer and Sheriff Thoroughman encouraged residents to report suspected drug activity by contacting the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force tip line at 740-354-3784 or emailing [email protected].
Tips may be submitted anonymously and will remain confidential.
The charges are allegations. Jones is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
