3 indicted in Springfield black tar heroin case

UPDATE @ 7:15 p.m. (June 21): Three people connected to a drug bust that was one of the largest seizures of black tar heroin in Springfield have been indicted.

Springfield drug detectives have been building a case against 27-year-old Brian Lewis since 2014, Police Chief Stephen Moody said, and on June 8 they had their opportunity to arrest him as they believed he was bringing drugs into the city from the Columbus area.

They also arrested Harry Dixon, 51, of 604 Tibbetts Ave., who police said is a “mule” who sells the drugs in Springfield and Clark County.

Police found heroin, marijuana, other drugs and weapons during their investigation, Moody said.

Both men were indicted on charges of trafficking in heroin, possession of heroin, trafficking in marijuana, possession of marijuana and aggravated possession of drugs, according to court records.

Lewis also faces charges of having weapons while under disability and Dixon on charges of aggravated trafficking in drugs, and receiving stolen property.

A woman whose Columbus-area home was also raided in the bust has also been charged.

Debra Mitchell, 56, of Whitehall has been indicted on charges of possession of heroin and aggravated possession of drugs, according to court records.

Dixon and Lewis have put up $250,000 and $500,000 bonds, respectively, to be released from the Clark County Jail. All three are to be arraigned in a Clark County Common Pleas courtroom later this week.

Mitchell was not arrested, but will be summoned to court on the charges.

EARLIER REPORT (June 9)

Springfield Police Division detectives have arrested two men in connection with a major drug bust, including the largest seizure of black tar heroin in Springfield to date.

Harry Dixon has been charged with two counts of trafficking in drugs, two counts of possession of drugs, having weapons under disability, receiving stolen property and failure to signal before changing course. Brian Lewis has been charged with two counts of trafficking in drug and two counts of possession of drugs.

Springfield Police Chief Stephen Moody said Lewis is one of the major dealers bringing drugs into the city and county.

“We’ve knocked people off that he’s been supplying, sort of the people below him, but things came together in this investigation,” to arrest Lewis Wednesday night, Moody said.

>>MORE COVERAGE: Large marijuana grow operation busted in Clark County

Both men pleaded not guilty in court Thursday morning to the charges. During the arraignment, Clark County Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Saunders asked the sitting judge for high bonds for both men.

“(Lewis) was trafficking heroin to 40-plus hot spots, troubled areas, in the city of Springfield, Clark County, Ohio and surrounding jurisdictions — this is a major drug offender,” Saunders said to the judge.

A bond of $500,000 was set for Lewis and a $250,000 bond for Dixon, according to court records.

The bust started with a traffic stop and then a search of a home on Tibbetts Avenue followed. Nearly one kilo of black tar heroin was seized, along with 800 grams of heroin and about 5.4 pounds of marijuana.

A gun reported stolen from a Vandalia gun store in November was found inside of Dixon's Tibbetts Avenue home, police said.

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