Portsmouth, Ohio Police SWAT, along with other agencies swarmed a house on the Scioto Trail on Wednesday afternoon. Around 3:30 pm, social media exploded with reports from readers witnessing the scene on the busy roadway.
“What’s going on out on the trail? Many people handcuffed and sitting in a group in a yard. Camo’ed personnel watching over them,” one reader posted.
Dale Powell, a member of the SCDN reporting staff was nearby when it happened and took a slow drive past to get an idea as to what was going on. “There’s a bust with armed people in camouflage at 2431 Scioto Trail. It’s a very dilapidated house that sits off to itself. There is a white police van unmarked and a new-looking pickup truck sitting beside it.”
SCDN reader Tom Montavon went live from the scene with a fine example of #Street Beat reporting as the scene unfolded.
Agencies Teamed Up
Many people speculated that the bust involved the FBI or other outside agencies, but this response was homegrown.
Portsmouth Police Chief Debby Brewer said her agency teamed up with the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office and the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force to search a home at 2431 Scioto Trail in Portsmouth. According to a release from law enforcement, 17 adults lived at the home.
Officers discovered and seized:
10 grams of an unknown powder
digital scales
multiple cell phones
Police said there was obvious evidence of drug abuse all throughout the home.
The Portsmouth City Health Department responded to the scene after a request from task force officers. The health department conducted and inspection, then condemned the home.
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Officers arrested two Portsmouth men:
Justin L. Jenkins, age 30
Lee Prince, age 25
Officers said both men had outstanding warrants through Portsmouth Municipal Court. Law enforcement took them to the Scioto County Jail. Sheriff Marty Donini and Chief Brewer offered their thanks to the Portsmouth Fire Department for their assistance. Investigators from the drug task force continue to investigate this case. Police will forward all evidence to the Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office. The prosecutor will present to the Scioto County Grand Jury.
You can leave anonymous drug tips for the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force at (740) 354-5656 or email [email protected].
Update
Around 11:15 last night (09/03/20), Police and EMS had returned to the house.
