COLUMBUS – Local and federal authorities made more than 50 arrests and seized guns and drugs during a months-long crackdown on criminal activity in Columbus.
Operation Overdrive is a multi-phase national initiative to reduce violent drug-related crime and overdose deaths in local communities and Columbus police Criminal Intelligence Unit detectives and the Community Response Team determined the Easthaven area was selected for the second phase of the operation, Columbus police Deputy Chief Robert Sagle said.
The local phase began in October and concluded on April 18 when Columbus police, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General arrested a total of 53 people on homicide and weapons, and drug charges.
The charges include homicide, possession of weapons, possession and distribution of controlled substances, and Paycheck Protection Program/Unemployment Fraud, according to a release from the Columbus Division of Police and DEA spokesman Brian McNeal.
A total of 50 firearms were seized, including rifles, shotguns and handguns, and distribution-level quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana.
The intent of Operation Overdrive is to use data and intelligence to identify and target “the worst of the worst” among violent drug gangs.