Heroin Drug Ring Busted in Miami County

: By Nancy Bowman; Sep 08, 2016

Three people arrested Aug. 31 at a Tipp City residence were just part of what Miami County law enforcement officials said was a drug ring that imported large amounts of heroin and methamphetamine into Miami and surrounding counties from Mexico.

Limited details were released about the investigation that sheriff’s Chief Deputy Dave Duchak said began more than two years ago with a tip from the public.

The investigation findings were submitted recently to a Miami County Grand Jury that handed down 109 criminal counts against eight people, three arrested Aug. 31 and a fourth Sept. 1. Warrants have been issued for the arrest of the other four.

Bonds were set late last week for those arrested pending their arraignments scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 6, in county Common Pleas Court. Bail ranged from $175,000 cash or surety to no bond for one defendant pending his appearance before arraigning Judge Jeannine Pratt.

The indictments accuse those charged with engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, conspiracy to engage in corrupt activity, aggravated funding of drug trafficking and aggravated money laundering along with possession of drugs (heroin, cocaine, meth, marijuana) and one count of carrying a concealed weapon.

The indictments, filed Friday in Common Pleas Court, also lists forfeiture of cash; vehicles in individual’s and a Daniel Auto Sales names; and a house on Bon Aire Drive, Tipp City,

The indictments allege the offenses occurred between Feb. 13, 2013, and Dec. 11, 2013, in Miami County; Montgomery County; Clark County; Scioto County; and Arapaho, Colorado.

Sheriff’s Major Steve Lord described those indicted as wholesalers selling kilogram amounts of the illegal drugs to dealers in Dayton, who in turn break down the drugs for street sale. “These are, as far as an organization, the hierarchy of the distribution network. These are not retailers, these are wholesalers,” Lord said.

Duchak praised the work of detectives who he said executed several search warrants and combed through evidence including bank records in the process of building the case.

“The organization was so large and the amount of drugs brought in ... the evidence collected ties them directly to at least 36 kilos (of drugs) we can show were brought into the Miami Valley for sale,” Duchak said.

In addition to the Miami County Sheriff’s detectives and the prosecutor’s office, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the RANGE Task Force, Tipp City Police, Ohio BCI, Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the Southern Ohio Currency Task Force conducted the investigation.

Miami County Prosecutor Tony Kendell said the drugs involved and the indictments were “huge” for the county.

“Just what we are aware of, in probably four to six-month period, we are talking almost 80 pounds of heroin and methamphetamines combined that were distributed. This is what we are aware of ... This is huge and it shut down a big channel of drugs in our community,” Kendell said. “And, it sends a message to those who want to come in and set up shop.”

Lord said the four kilos each of heroin and methamphetamines on display at the press conference Sept. 1 had a street value of more than $1 million. Those drugs were seized using search warrants in the early part of the investigation.

Tipp City Police Chief Eric Burris said the department was not involved in the arrests Aug. 31 of Erick Segura; his brother, Mario Segura; and Erick’s wife, Allesha Segura, at a North First Street, Tipp City, residence.

The department, though, assisted the sheriff’s office in past search warrants related to the case.

“This case has been ongoing for several years now and I’m pleased the sheriff’s office was able to build enough evidence to get arrest warrants issued on these suspects. We are always happy to help our fellow law enforcement agencies in any way, especially when it takes alleged drug dealers out of our city,” Burris said.

“We will continue to be on the lookout for the remaining five suspects and ask anyone with knowledge of their whereabouts to contact the Miami County Sheriff’s Office or the Tipp City Police Department,” Burris added.

Duchak said law enforcement would continue working with the public on battling drug trafficking that he said, “is devastating all of our communities.” The public is asked to continue to call law enforcement with any information they can provide and to alert agencies if they see suspicious activity.