Franklin Co. deputies arrest 5 during drug sweeps

During a three day narcotics sweep, Franklin County Sheriff Deputies, arrested five people on drug charges, recovered multiple weapons and confiscated thousands of dollars in cash.

According to Franklin County Sheriff Zach Scott, the first arrest of the sweep occurred January 12, when two traffic stops were conducted. Scott said Ronda Ruffner,49, Aldo Valdez,34, and Antonio Cabada-Navarrete, 40, were arrested after detectives found 1.5 kilograms of heroin and $4,000 in cash. All three were arrested and charged with possession of heroin.

A search warrant executed by detectives January 13, at the residence of Kenneth Smith, 56, in a Columbus apartment in the 1300 block of Marion Drive North. According to Scott, detectives located approximately 18 grams of cocaine, four grams of heroin, Oxycodone prescription pills, a 9mm loaded handgun and approximately $4,000. Smith was arrested for possession of drugs, and he faces future charges of trafficking in drugs. Additional possession of drugs, and having weapons under disability are expected to be filed against Smith.

Then on January 14, detectives searched the home of Stephen Foster, 45, in the 1000 block of Seymour Avenue in Columbus. Scott said 34 grams of cocaine, a loaded 9mm handgun and approximately $3,000 were found. Foster was arrested for possession of cocaine. Future charges of trafficking in drugs and having weapons under disability are expected to be filed.

Scott stated, “Our commitment to the community has always been to aggressively enforce drug trafficking laws and prosecute drug dealers. This week, we continued our fight against heroin. Drug dealers are warned that we will aggressively enforce the law to clean up our streets. We are taking the heroin epidemic very seriously and will continue to use all the tools we have to combat it.”

Published by nbc4i.com