Authorities arrest two after separate drug raids

Authorities have arrested and charged two men after separate investigations culminated in two drug raids in the past week.

A juvenile was also taken into custody during the most recent raid. The arrests are the result of months-long investigations among the county and city joint drug task force, as well the Central Ohio Drug Enforcement Task Force.

It's the second major bust the task forces have made in as many months, following two raids in June at homes on Pine and Baker streets that allegedly uncovered a significant amount of drugs and cash and netted seven arrests. Some of those suspects' indictments included major drug offender specifications.

In July's raids, authorities arrested Jimmy. J. Davidson and Matthew R. Smith. Investigators don't believe the two are connected; the investigations just happened to culminate at the same time.

The most recent raid was Monday, when authorities served two search warrants at 108 S. Pembroke Ave. in South Zanesville and 3000 Moxadarla Road, lot 46.

During the searches, authorities uncovered several guns, cash, cocaine, marijuana, prescription pain pills and spice, a type of synthetic drug, said Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz.

The total value of the narcotics was about $5,500, according to the sheriff’s office.

Davidson, 31, was arrested and charged after the raids.

He faces up to 46 years in prison for multiple drug charges, including trafficking in drugs, a first-degree felony with a school specification and a forfeiture specification; trafficking in cocaine, a third-degree felony with a juvenile specification and forfeiture specification; two counts of corrupting another with cocaine, a second-degree felony, possession of cocaine, a second-degree felony; and aggravated possession of drugs (hydrocodone/acetaminophen), a fifth-degree felony.

Authorities also arrested a 17-year-old male juvenile, who is in custody awaiting charges to be filed.

The first raid came last Wednesday, when authorities arrested Smith after uncovering methamphetamine, cash, and a vehicle.

Smith, 34, 1107 Central Ave., faces four and a half years in prison for one count of trafficking in methamphetamine, a third-degree felony; one count of trafficking in methamphetamine, a fourth-degree felony; and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.

Lutz credited the “relentless” work of his detectives, as well as the reports that citizens make about drug activity.

“We know who deals drugs; we get that information daily,” Lutz said. “That stuff is being followed up on.”

Anyone with information pertaining to drug activity can make anonymous tips by calling the task force at 740-455-7917 or 455-0712.

Published by the Zanesville Times Recorder