Drugs and Numerous Firearms Located in Otway, Ohio
NEWS RELEASE
October 31st, 2025
On October 29, 2025, the Southern Ohio Organized and Major Crimes Task Force, along with the United States Marshals Service, conducted an operation at 68 Smith Road, Otway, Ohio, to serve an active arrest warrant.
While searching the property for the wanted individual, agents with the task force observed, in plain view, what appeared to be Methamphetamine, along with digital scales and packaging materials consistent with drug trafficking. Upon receiving consent from the property owner, agents conducted a further search of the premises and located additional narcotics and firearms within the same building.
In total, agents seized over 300 grams of Methamphetamine and 14 firearms from the property. All items discovered were seized as evidence, and the investigation remains ongoing. Charges related to this incident will be presented to the Scioto County Grand Jury for consideration at a later date.
The Southern Ohio Organized and Major Crimes Task Force is comprised of multiple law enforcement agencies working collaboratively to combat drug trafficking and other criminal activity throughout Southern Ohio. We want to thank the United States Marshals’ Service (S.O.F.A.S.T.), the Ohio Organized Crime Investigation Commission, Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman, Scioto County Prosecutor Shane Tieman, and Portsmouth Police Chief Debbie Brewer for their help on this operation.
Anyone with information about this incident or who wants to leave an anonymous tip can contact the Southern Ohio Organized and Major Crimes Task Force Tip line at 740-820-6404.
Great work by the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office for getting these dangerous drugs and illegal firearms off the streets in Otway. Keeping our neighborhood safe is so important. Speaking of taking a short break to reset your mind after reading serious law enforcement news or finishing up daily work, I usually pop over to minigame for a few quick games. It’s completely free, browser-based, and instant to play with zero downloads needed. Thanks for keeping the community informed!
The detail that agents first observed suspected methamphetamine, scales, and packaging materials in plain view raises an interesting legal question. If the initial entry was solely to serve an arrest warrant, how do courts typically assess whether those observations justify expanding the search beyond the original purpose? The article notes consent was later obtained from the property owner, which may have resolved that issue here, but it still highlights how carefully the scope of a lawful search must be defined.
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