Portsmouth Police and the Scioto County Prosecutor's office executed a search warrant Thursday after receiving several complaints of drug activity. Officers said they had been advised there would be two out-of-town subjects inside the residence with a large amount of crack cocaine and firearms. When officers went inside, they found two subjects from Columbus, Stephen D. Banks, 29, and Mario A. Sydnor, 26.
During the search, police said they recovered approximately 57 grams of crack cocaine prepackaged for sale, a loaded handgun and digital scales for weighing the crack cocaine. The crack cocaine has a street value of approximately $28,500.
Banks is charged with trafficking in crack cocaine, 25-100 grams, and possession of crack cocaine, 25-100 grams, both felonies of the first degree, possession of crack cocaine, 10-25 grams and trafficking in crack cocaine, 10-25 grams, both felony twos, tampering with evidence, having weapons while under disability, both third-degree felonies, and possession of criminal tools, a felony five.
Sydnor faces felony one charges of trafficking in crack cocaine, 25-100 grams, possession of crack cocaine, 25-100 grams, as well as two felonies of the fourth degree, possession of crack cocaine, 5-10, grams and trafficking in crack cocaine, 5-10 grams, and charges of having weapons while under disability and possession of criminal tools, felonies of the third and fifth degree respectively.
Kevin D. Lodwick, 27, is charged with permitting drug abuse, a misdemeanor of the first degree.
Police say additional charges may be pending.






