Large drug bust expected to 'interrupt' city's drug trade

LIMA - Working around the clock for days this week undercover, detectives of the Allen County Sheriff's Office say they stopped the operations of a "top tier" drug distributor late Wednesday night when they seized a large amount of powder cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, cash and guns from a Lima man's home.

A warrant has been issued for the suspect, Neal Brown, 34. He was not at his 110 E. 14th St. home at the time detectives searched the place and he is still on the loose and considered dangerous.

Sheriff Dan Beck said the drugs, guns and cash seized from the home had an estimated value of up to $750,000 cash if sold on the street.

Initially, Beck said, investigators thought they seized three kilograms of powder cocaine and 15 grams of crack cocaine from the home. However, he said, they later learned one of those kilograms was not cocaine, but instead was black tar heroin, which makes the case more significant.

"This year, we have seen a rise in heroin overdoses," Beck said. "It never seemed to be a problem before, but now we know it's on the streets in bulk."

Although the drugs are sold for far less in bulk amounts, detectives said, the kilogram of heroin is valued at up to $500,000 on the street, because it's diluted and sold in smaller increments, and the cocaine is valued at up to $200,000 when it's packaged separately and diluted and/or turned into crack cocaine.

"I've never seized a kilo in my seven years," said Detective Sgt. Matt Treglia. "And, heroin is not that common in this area. To get a kilo of heroin (in Lima) is extremely rare and this community is that much safer because we have it off the streets."

Treglia said it's extremely unusual for a dealer to be selling both heroin and cocaine. Beck said it appears the dealer was cooking the powder cocaine and converting it to crack cocaine in his house.

Because the suspect had a history of violent crime and he had three shotguns and five handguns placed throughout the house, Beck said he is dangerous.

"The house was set up from the front door to the back and all through with loaded weapons," Beck said. "They (the guns) were placed strategically throughout the place. He was prepared for an intrusion. This homeowner had a history of violent crimes."
Beck also said the suspect is now likely "on the road" because he knows police are looking for him.

"We've interrupted the life of a significant drug dealer and he won't be dealing in this community for a while," Beck said. "He was at the top end of the distribution network."

Although they are not sure where the drugs came from, Treglia said investigators have been watching the dealer for "quite a while" and they believe Brown was selling to people who sold it on the streets in the area.

Additionally, agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration have joined sheriff detectives on the case to assist with the investigation.

"This will disrupt the drug trade in Lima for a while," Treglia said. "It will take a while for other people to step in and set up shop."