Two arrested in major Ohio drug trafficking case

OHIO — A routine traffic stop Wednesday evening led to the arrest of two individuals linked to a significant drug trafficking operation.

Officers from the Bellefontaine Police Department (BPD) Criminal Patrol Unit and K9 Unit stopped a silver Chevy Traverse in the 700 block of North Main Street.

The vehicle’s occupants, Andrew Hughes, 40, of Bellefontaine, and Brittany Hartline, 35, of Russells Point, were wanted by the Adult Parole Authority for outstanding warrants tied to a drug trafficking investigation.

The investigation, conducted by the BPD Criminal Patrol Unit, revealed that Hughes and Hartline were transporting large quantities of narcotics from source cities back to Logan County for distribution.

During the stop, officers observed suspicious movements from both occupants. Hartline, the driver, complied with commands to show her hands and was removed from the vehicle.

However, Hughes fled on foot, jumping across the center console and running eastbound. Officers pursued him, eventually tackling him to the ground after a brief chase.

One officer sustained a leg injury during the chase and was transported to Memorial Regional Hospital, where their condition was reported as stable.

Following the arrest, K9 Pyro was deployed to conduct a narcotics sniff of the vehicle.

The search revealed approximately 21 grams of cocaine, 95 grams of methamphetamine, 23 units of LSD, and drug paraphernalia linked to trafficking activities.

A subsequent search of Hughes’s residence by the Adult Parole Authority uncovered an additional 29 grams of psilocybin mushrooms in a bookbag.

Both Hughes and Hartline were taken to the Logan County Jail and face numerous charges:

Charges Against Andrew Hughes

• Parole Violation
• Trafficking in Methamphetamine (F2)
• Possession of Methamphetamine (F2)
• Trafficking in Cocaine (F2)
• Possession of Cocaine (F2)
• Trafficking Schedule I Drug (F1)
• Possession of Schedule I Drug (F1)
• Additional trafficking and possession charges (F4)
• Tampering with Evidence (F3)
• Obstructing Official Business (F5)
• Resisting Arrest (M1)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M4)

Charges Against Brittany Hartline

• Parole Violation
• Trafficking in Methamphetamine (F2)
• Possession of Methamphetamine (F2)
• Trafficking in Cocaine (F2)
• Possession of Cocaine (F2)
• Trafficking Schedule I Drug (F1)
• Possession of Schedule I Drug (F1)
• Additional trafficking and possession charges (F4)
• Tampering with Evidence (F3)

Additional charges are pending as the investigation continues. The Logan County Sheriff’s Office and the Adult Parole Authority assisted in the operation.

Authorities say the arrests mark a significant step in dismantling a local drug trafficking network.