METRICH-MARMET raids second meth operation

Coming on the heels of their announcement of Tuesday's drug raid, the METRICH-MARMET Drug Task Force raided a residence at 468 Park Blvd. on Thursday, ending what they allege was a methamphetamine production operation.

According to a release, METRICH-MARMET agents and officers with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation raided the house. Police records staff said a search warrant was served there at 10:28 a.m. Thursday.

Jimmy D. Collins, 36, and Jacob D. King, 32, both residents of the house, were arrested on a charge of manufacturing of methamphetamine, a first-degree felony.

"The residents of the 400 block of Park Boulevard are very lucky that a devastating explosion did not occur at 468 Park Blvd. due to the manufacturing of this extremely dangerous drug," Maj. Jay McDonald said in the press release. "Methamphetamine is a hazard material and its mere presence in this neighborhood posed a very serious risk to everyone in the area."

The release said the raid was the result of a two-month investigation by the METRICH-MARMET Task Force, and the Health Department and city Fire Department assisted during the operation.

This is the second major METRICH-MARMET operation targeting meth production in 2016, with the previous search warrant served Jan. 19 at 634 Pearl St. Richard and Tasha Sobers were indicted as a result and have pleaded not guilty in Marion County Common Pleas Court.

Originally published in the Marion Start on February 11, 2016.