Two arrested following JNET investigation

Casey McCoy

Two people were recently arrested by the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team, closing out a long-term drug dealing investigation in Columbus.

JNET investigators said during the course of the investigation, Jera Lynn McCoy 30, of 1639 Cottage Ave., Columbus and Casey N. McCoy, 39, of 1639 Cottage Ave. – A, Columbus, were identified as retail distributors of suspected fentanyl. Through a variety of investigative techniques, JNET obtained a search warrant for a residence in the 1600 block of Cottage Avenue. The residence was identified as the location that the McCoy’s were dealing illegal narcotics, investigators said.

Additional information was obtained by JNET that identified a hotel room in the 100 block of Carrie Lane that was booked under Casey McCoy’s name. A search warrant was obtained for the hotel room.

During the search of the residence on Cottage Avenue and the hotel room, JNET located approximately 17 grams of suspected fentanyl, packaging material, a digital scale, along with a list of suspected customers and customer phone numbers.

Fentanyl is a dangerous drug that is up to 50 times more potent than heroin. The amount of 17 grams of fentanyl has the potential to cause thousands of overdoses depending on the purity of the drug, investigators said.

Jera Lynn McCoy and Casey McCoy were both initially charged with dealing in a narcotic drug as a Level 2 felony. They both are currently incarcerated at the Bartholomew County Jail. Arrest records indicate they were booked into the jail on March 10.

Jera Lynn McCoy is being held without bond, while Casey McCoy was being held in lieu of $147,500 bond, jail records state.

The investigation into the sale of illegal drugs in Columbus and Bartholomew County continues and additional charges are possible in this ongoing investigation. JNET investigators said.

The Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team, a combined unit of the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, the Columbus Police Department and the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office is targeting the manufacturing and abuse of dangerous drugs in Columbus and Bartholomew County.