Athens, Ohio (January 16, 2024) – In a major operation against illegal narcotics trafficking, the Athens County Special Response Team, supported by the Southeast Major Crimes Task Force, executed a search warrant on January 11th at a residence on 28 Montrose Avenue in Athens.
The residence was under investigation for suspected trafficking of illegal drugs. After securing the home, a thorough search yielded a significant haul of illicit substances, including:
- Seven times the state-defined “bulk” quantity of LSD
- Sixty-eight times the “bulk” quantity of psilocybin mushroom bars
- “Bulk” quantities of ecstasy
Furthermore, the location of the residence, situated within a school zone, elevates the charges against the suspect to a more serious level.
“This successful operation demonstrates our commitment to combating illegal drug activity in Athens County,” said Sheriff Smith. “Not only did we remove a significant amount of dangerous narcotics from our streets, but we also prevented these substances from potentially reaching our community’s youth due to the proximity of the residence to a school.”
The seized items will be sent to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) for analysis. The Athens County Prosecutor’s Office will be consulted for additional charges against the suspect.
Michael A. Simms, 20, of 28 Montrose Avenue, was arrested at the scene on charges of Trafficking Drugs (F1) and Possession of Drugs (F1).
Sheriff Smith expressed his gratitude to all agencies involved in the investigation, including the Southeast Major Crimes Task Force, Athens City Police Department, Athens County Prosecutor’s Office, Athens County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team, and additional deputies.
