29 of 48 suspects arrested in summer drug sweep

The METRICH Enforcement Unit conducted a drug sweep targeting 48 suspects Wednesday with the assistance of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, the Mansfield Police Department, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office and the Shelby Police Department.

Lt. Joseph Petrycki said METRICH detectives conducted three searches of residences. The 48 suspects were charged with 89 total counts related to drug trafficking, according to a news release.

As of Wednesday afternoon, 29 of the 48 suspects had been arrested by the fugitive task force and served with indictments.

In addition to the indictment arrests, METRICH detectives filed other charges against three people who were found to be in possession of drugs when officers contacted them.

They are: Mark Thomas, 35, charged with illegal cultivation of marijuana, a third-degree felony; Lisa Schlupp, 25, possession of drugs, a third-degree felony; and Glenn Brown, 53, having weapons under disability, a third-degree felony, and two counts of possession of drugs.

Petrycki said METRICH detectives and task force members seized about 10 grams of heroin, assorted drug paraphernalia, numerous prescription medications, an elaborate indoor marijuana grow operation, two handguns, ammunition and more than $1,500 in U.S. currency.)

Mansfield police Sgt. Steve Blust said, “This sweep was the result of numerous complaints regarding drug trafficking in Richland County, and we will continue to target other drug dealers within our community.”

Authorities traveled in caravans throughout the city, knocking on resident's doors, weapons drawn. Many people on social media reported seeing authorities in and around Mansfield serving warrants Wednesday.

In one instance, at a two-story house off Glessner Avenue, a woman talked to a task force member from a second-floor window. The individual being sought did not appear to be home and the group of officers in mostly unmarked cars moved on.

Authorities declined further comment and declined to release additional names of those arrested Wednesday, because they are not yet done picking up people in the sweep.

Originally published in the News Journal on August 3, 2016.

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