Six people were arrested Friday morning after a lengthy investigation that focused on narcotics dealing in Columbus.
Investigators said the arrests were a continuation of Operation Columbus Day, believed to be the largest drug trafficking investigation in Bartholomew County, which unfolded over the course of three years, as cheap, potent methamphetamine was flooding the streets of Columbus and fatal drug overdoses were starting to climb.
To date, the operation has resulted in more than 60 arrests — including at least 36 federal indictments and 23 local prosecutions — 25 federal convictions and dismantled a drug trafficking network in the Columbus area that investigators say had ties to a Mexican drug cartel.
Shortly after 8:30 a.m., Friday officers from the CPD SWAT Team, which is comprised of officers from the Columbus Police Department and the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, executed a search warrant at a home in the 700 block of Fairview Drive in Columbus, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.
A follow up investigation was conducted at a Columbus auto repair garage located in the 500 block of South Cherry Street, Harris said. That garage was subsequently closed down by Columbus Code Enforcement.
During the warrant service on Friday, officers located methamphetamine, marijuana, four firearms, and a stolen Chevrolet Corvette.
The following persons were arrested on the preliminary charges listed below:
- Jeremy W. Sweet, 38, of 1415 N. County Road 850E: Possession of methamphetamine, possession of a handgun by a serious violent felon, he was being held in the Bartholomew County Jail with no bond.
- Alexus M. Bush, 21, of 2797 Scotland Drive: Maintaining a common nuisance, possession of marijuana, being held in jail with no bond.
- Amanda J Cea, 41, of 2797 Scotland Drive: Possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, maintaining a common nuisance, being held in jail with no bond.
- Eriberto Sanchez Hernandez, 33, of 572 Hedge Ave.: Warrant (dealing methamphetamine), resisting law enforcement, being held in jail with no bond.
- Alex De Arcia (also known as Gabriel Hernandez), 33, of 9991 Diane Drive East: Three counts of dealing methamphetamine, two warrants (false informing and operating a vehicle without ever obtaining a license), held in jail in lieu of $200,000 bond.
- Nicholas J. Miller, 21, of 9550 W. County Road 700S: Visiting a common nuisance, held in jail with no bond.
“These arrests spotlight the continued hard work that is put in by our officers and detectives,” said Columbus Police Chief Michael Richardson. “Getting illegal drugs and firearms off of our streets will continue to be a priority for our police department.”
Richardson asked community residents that if they suspect drug activity is occurring in their neighborhood, to submit tips and information, which may be done anonymously.
“I want to give special recognition to those officers with ‘boots on the ground’ who day in and day out are working to keep illegal drugs off our streets,” said Bartholomew County Sheriff Matthew A. Myers. “I said during the March 31st news conference that more arrests were forthcoming and even after being forewarned, these people haven’t stopped. If you deal or abuse illegal drugs in Bartholomew County, you will be arrested,” he said.
The Columbus Fire Department and Columbus Code Enforcement assisted with Friday’s arrests.
