Couple Arrested with Meth, Cocaine and Fentanyl

NEWS RELEASE

May 22nd, 2026

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Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman announces the arrest of two individuals on felony drug

charges following a traffic stop in the City of Portsmouth on the evening of Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

At approximately 11:12 p.m., Deputy Chase Johnson conducted a traffic stop on a black Chevrolet traveling westbound on US 52 near Cole Avenue. The stop was initiated after records indicated the registered owner of the vehicle had outstanding arrest warrants.

Upon making contact with the occupants, deputies verified the registered owner was not present.

However, the male passenger was found to have an active arrest warrant through the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office. During a lawful search of the vehicle incident to his arrest, Deputy Johnson located a plastic bag on the passenger side containing a substantial amount of suspected Methamphetamine.

Deputy Ratcliff was instructed to detain the female driver. Before deputies could inform her of the discovery, she made an unsolicited statement denying ownership of the items. Both subjects were properly advised of their Miranda rights. The driver was temporarily secured in the rear of a patrol cruiser and was later removed so Deputy Carver could conduct a search of her person. After she was moved, Deputy Ratcliff located a silver container in the cruiser where the driver had been seated. This container held multiple small baggies containing a white powdery substance.

The passenger subsequently took responsibility for the narcotics found in the vehicle that they were traveling in. He stated he had purchased a half-pound of Methamphetamine and directed deputies to a black box in the back seat. This box was found to contain suspected Crack Cocaine and Fentanyl, which is frequently referred to by the street name "Slow" Deputies also seized $1,264 in cash from the driver, which is suspected to be proceeds from drug trafficking.

The total weight of all the narcotics recovered was 238 grams with the estimated street value of approximately $9,000.

Corey D. Bertram, age 31, of Craig Avenue in Garrison, Kentucky, was arrested and charged with

Aggravated Possession of Drugs, a felony of the first degree; Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs, a

felony of the first degree; and a secondary count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs, a felony of the fifth degree.

Sara M. Lansing, age 29, of Summit Street in Portsmouth, Ohio, was arrested and charged with

Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs, a felony of the first degree, and Tampering with Evidence, a

felony of the third degree.

Both individuals appeared in the Portsmouth Municipal Court for arraignment on Thursday, May

21, 2026.

The Scioto County Sheriff's Office continues its work to keep our communities safe. I encourage

anyone with information regarding drug activity to contact the Task Force tip line at (740) 354-

5656 or email drugs@sciotocountysheriff.com. All information provided will remain strictly

confidential and anonymous.