OHIO — Multiple people were detained and a variety of suspected drugs were seized following the execution of a search warrant at a New Castle home on Thursday, according to authorities.
Members of the Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office HIDTA Drug Task Force, along with the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General and the Drug Enforcement Administration, carried out a narcotics search warrant at a residence on Castle Street.
Officials said four people were found inside the home. One of them, identified as Ben Tolbert, was allegedly in possession of several items, including 4.2 grams of suspected heroin or fentanyl, 13.5 grams of crack cocaine, a stolen Ruger LCP .380 handgun, and $40 in cash.
Investigators reported additional suspected drugs were discovered throughout the home, including 22.5 grams of heroin or fentanyl, 42.2 grams of cocaine or crack cocaine, 14.5 grams of methamphetamine, 21 Suboxone strips, 107.8 grams of gabapentin pills, 21.4 grams of marijuana, and 24 THC cartridges.
Authorities also searched a gray Nissan parked outside the residence, where they said they found five oxycodone pills totaling 3.5 grams, along with an additional three grams of suspected cocaine and six grams of marijuana.
In addition to Tolbert, three other individuals were taken into custody and booked into the Lawrence County Jail on outstanding bench warrants.
According to court records, Tolbert is charged with possession of a firearm prohibited, receiving stolen property, and three felony counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver controlled substances.
He was scheduled to be arraigned Friday afternoon, with a preliminary hearing set for April 22.
