A Columbus man wanted on a murder warrant was arrested in Portsmouth Thursday morning during a drug trafficking investigation that also landed a second Columbus man behind bars.
Portsmouth Police Chief Debby Brewer and Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman said Christian Ray Jackson, 23, of Columbus, was taken into custody on an outstanding murder warrant out of Columbus.
Jackson and Al’Jurdon Christian Gooch, 26, also of Columbus, were both arrested after a Southern Ohio Drug Task Force investigation into suspected drug trafficking and possession.
Around 7:11 a.m. Thursday, task force detectives and Portsmouth Police Department S.W.A.T. executed a law enforcement operation at 2809 Gallia Street in Portsmouth.
Authorities said investigators seized approximately 118 grams of suspected fentanyl and 87 grams of suspected crack cocaine.
Both men were charged with trafficking in drugs and possession of drugs. Each charge is a first-degree felony.
Authorities estimated the street value of the suspected narcotics at $24,720.
During a related search warrant, investigators also seized digital scales and other evidence believed to be connected to drug trafficking. A total of $1,014 in cash was seized from Gooch and Jackson.
The arrests are another example of out-of-town suspects facing serious charges in Scioto County, a pattern local law enforcement has repeatedly tied to drug trafficking activity moving into Portsmouth from larger cities.
Gooch and Jackson were booked into the Scioto County Jail and are scheduled to be arraigned in Portsmouth Municipal Court at 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7.
Both defendants are currently being held without bond.
The case remains under investigation by task force detectives and will be forwarded to the Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office for presentation to a Scioto County grand jury.
Anyone with information related to drug trafficking can contact the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force tip line at 740-354-3784 or email [email protected].
Authorities said information will be kept confidential and anonymous.
