Ohio AG announces 2025 narcotic seizures total over $75 million

OHIO — Drug traffickers were stopped by law enforcement task forces throughout 2025, resulting in the confiscation of millions of dollars in illegal drugs.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said more than $75 million in drugs, 440 firearms and $4.1 million in cash was confiscated this year by task forces established under the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission (OOCIC).

“Our task forces disrupt traffickers by intercepting millions of dollars’ worth of narcotics each year — making our communities that much safer,” Yost said. “I’m grateful for our law enforcement partners at every level of government who dedicate their time and talent to support our task forces.”

Task forces are made of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and investigate drug trafficking across Ohio.

“The success of these task forces demonstrates the power of collaboration between federal, state and local law enforcement to investigate, disrupt and dismantle dangerous criminal organizations,” said Matthew Stentz, acting special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Detroit. “HSI is proud to stand alongside our partners in Ohio to keep our communities safe by targeting the networks that traffic illegal drugs, firearms and illicit proceeds. Together, we are making a significant impact in protecting Ohio families from the devastating effects of narcotics trafficking.”

Yost’s office said several drug task forces receive funding through RecoveryOhio alongside the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services.

“In Ohio, we direct significant resources toward intercepting illegal drugs before traffickers can take advantage of those suffering from substance use disorders,” said Gov. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio. “I applaud OOCIC’s major drug interdiction task forces on another successful year of promoting recovery by keeping a significant amount of drugs off the streets and holding accountable the individuals who wrongly thought they could get away with trafficking drugs in Ohio.”

Since 2019, OOCIC task forces have seized:

• 1,240 pounds of fentanyl
• 3,914 pounds of methamphetamine
• More than 300,000 prescription pills
• 2,774 firearms
• More than $70 million in currency 

OOCIC task forces have seized more than $471 million in drugs since 2019.

(AG Yost’s Office)

Yost’s office highlighted several notable seizures this year, including:

Miami Valley Major Drug Interdiction Task Force: 

• Where the task force arrested a person with a suitcase containing 22 pounds of cocaine in January

ONSET Major Drug Interdiction Task Force: 

• More than $100,000 seized from a person attempting to smuggle cash to the Middle East in January
• More than 20 kilograms of cocaine were seized in February from two people from New York
• In May, 17 search warrants were executed at businesses and residences, resulting in the seizure of $358,803 in cash, 500 pounds of narcotics, 115 grams of cocaine, 1 pound of psilocybin mushrooms, 11 firearms, two vehicles and a boat

Licking, Guernsey, Muskingum County Major Drug Interdiction Task Force

• More than 3 pounds of methamphetamine were seized in February
• 11 firearms and 6 pounds of meth were seized in April
• 5 pounds of cocaine and a pound of meth were seized in June

Central Ohio Major Drug Interdiction Task Force

• In February, 6 kilograms of cocaine were seized at a traffic stop leading to two search warrants being executed at residences and an additional 14 kilograms of cocaine being seized; the cocaine was valued at more than $700,000
• In April multiple investigations led to the seizure of 242 pounds of marijuana, 6 pounds of methamphetamine, nine handguns and more than $60,000

Hamilton County Major Drug Interdiction Task Force

• In March, 45 pounds of narcotics were seized, including cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana

Belmont, Harrison, Jefferson Major Drug Interdiction Task Force

• 115 grams of cocaine, cash two firearms and a drone were seized after a traffic stop led to an investigation about smuggling narcotics into a local prison

Northwest Ohio Major Drug Interdiction Task Force

• Two investigations in May resulted in more than $38,000 in cash, narcotics and drug paraphernalia being seized

Mahoning County Major Drug Interdiction Task Force

• A drug trafficking operation was disrupted when search warrants were executed at three Youngstown-area residences resulting in 14 kilograms of cocaine, two firearms, a vehicle with a hidden compartment and approximately $30,000 being seized.