MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—On November 28, 2023, law enforcement officers from the Marion Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant that was obtained through Judge Teresa Ballinger for a residence in the 390 block of Park Street in the City of Marion after an investigation by detectives from the MARMET Drug Task Force.
Detectives located approximately 49.50 grams of Fentanyl, 50.78 grams of crack cocaine, an illegally possessed firearm and $7,562 cash.
Larry Lewis (age 46) and Richa Markley (age 37) both of Marion, Ohio were arrested as a result of this investigation. Each was charged with Trafficking in Drugs (a felony of the 1st degree) and Weapons under Disability (a Felony of the 3rd degree). This case has been forwarded to Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan for the filing of formal charges.
“This investigation removed major drug traffickers from our streets and undoubtedly made our community safer. I am proud of the officers and deputies who have worked so hard on this investigation to remove this poison from our neighborhood, and I am grateful for the community support for our efforts in these investigations” said Marion Police Chief Jay McDonald.
Marion County Sheriff Matt Bayles said “I am not surprised when I see large-scale traffickers who have been arrested by the MARMET Drug Task Force. This amount of drugs, possessed along with an illegal firearm, poses an extreme risk to our community. Our detectives, along with the deputies and officers, will not stop working to arrest and prosecute these dealers who have set up shop in our county.”
The MARMET Drug Task Force is made up of members of the Marion Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Marion County Prosecutors Office.