Stemming Opioids: Lorain County Picked For Exclusive Program

LORAIN, OH — Earlier this year, 25 people were charged as part of a drug ring that was bringing heroin, fentanyl and other opioids into Lorain County. It was the latest large-scale anti-opioid operation in the area and one that garnered national attention. That case, and others like it, prompted the selection of a Northeast Ohio county for a new, aggressive law enforcement program.

Lorain County will be part of an exclusive anti-opioid program being launched by Attorney General Jeff Session. Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.) is a new program that will try to identify opioid distribution networks and launch an "enforcement surge" in the 10 U.S. districts with some of the highest overdose death rates.

“These drugs have killed thousands of our friends and neighbors and caused pain and heartbreak to their families.” Northern Ohio's United States Attorney Justin Herdman said. “ This initiative will allow us to work in a collaborative, targeted way on the enforcement side to reduce the drug supply, while continuing to partner with others in our community to help drive down demand.”

The Northern District of Ohio has been one of the worst hit areas during the recent opioid epidemic. Lorain County had 39 heroin overdose deaths in 2014, 13 of which involved fentanyl. In 2015, that number jumped to 41 heroin deaths, with 20 involving fentanyl. But 2016 was one of the bloodiest overdose years in Lorain County history.

In 2016 there were 131 overdose deaths. Last year, there were 132 overdose deaths. The impact of the opioid epidemic has been felt in both large cities and small towns throughout Lorain County. Law enforcement will target people with prior drug trafficking charges and who are accused continuing to peddle illegal opiates.

As part of the S.O.S program, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, Herdman, will coordinate with Lorain County prosecutors, Elyria Police Chief Duane Whitely, Chief Cel Rivera of Lorain Police, Sheriff Phil Stammitti of the Lorain County Sheriff's Department, the DEA and the FBI. Additionally, another Assistant U.S. Attorney will be sent to each S.O.S. district to help prosecute drug crimes.

“Through the cooperation of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies working together to share their resources, intelligence and manpower we can aggressively investigate drug trafficking organizations,” said Stammitti. “These organizations from the street level dealer to the main source suppliers are drastically having a devastating effect on our communities. In conjunction with the newly formed Lorain County HIDTA, we are proud of all the units that work together to aggressively investigate drug traffickers.”

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