METRICH raid nets drugs, guns, cash; one arrested

Drugs, guns and cash were seized Thursday morning during a METRICH raid at 75 Helen Ave., according to a news release from Mansfield police Lt. Joseph D. Petrycki, who is also the METRICH commander.

The METRICH Enforcement Unit, with assistance from the Mansfield Division of Police and the Allied Special Operations Response Team (ASORT) served a drug-related search warrant at the residence at 9 a.m. Thursday following a short-term drug trafficking investigation after police received several complaints of suspected drug activity in the neighborhood.

METRICH detectives seized approximately two ounces of suspected methamphetamine, three ounces of suspected heroin/fentanyl, four ounces of suspected cocaine, marijuana, two firearms and $2,000 in U.S. currency. One of the firearms recovered was also found to have been reported stolen.

Broderick E. Petty, 45, has been charged with two counts of trafficking in drugs, felonies of the fifth degree; possession of heroin, a felony of the first degree; possession of cocaine, a felony of the first degree; possession of methamphetamine, a felony of the second degree; having weapons under disability, a felony of the third degree; and receiving stolen property, a felony of the fourth degree, according to Petrycki.

He was incarcerated at the Richland County Jail pending his appearance in court. Further charges may be forwarded to the Richland County Prosecutor’s Office.

“The METRICH Enforcement Unit continues to target those individuals selling drugs in the community and urges the community to continue reporting suspected drug activity,” he said.

Originally published in the News Journal on December 14, 2018.