According to Portsmouth Police Chief Robert Ware, members of the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force were called at about 1 p.m. on Thursday to assist detectives from the Portsmouth Police Department in an investigations to a “shots fired” call that occurred the day before.

The Southern Ohio Drug Task Force consists of Narcotics Detectives from the Portsmouth Police Department, the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office, and agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

During the investigation, detectives located two subjects — identified as Antonio L. Spikes, 22, of Cincinnati, and Rakeem Ahmed Blair, 20, of Springfield — who were alleged to have been involved in the shooting. After making contact with the two men, detectives located crack cocaine on Blair and a loaded 380 caliber handgun on Spikes. While attempting to handcuff Spikes, he pushed away from detectives and fled on foot. Detectives apprehended him after a foot pursuit.

Spikes also reportedly attempted to hide crack cocaine in the rear seat of a police car after arrest.

Blair was arrested and charged with third-degree felony tampering with evidence, and fifth-degree felony possession of cocaine. Spikes was arrested and charged with fourth-degree felony carrying a concealed weapon, third-degree felony having a weapon while under disability, third-degree felony tampering with evidence, third-degree felony escape, and fifth-degree felony possession of cocaine.

Chief Ware asked that anyone wishing to leave drug information for the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force, contact the Portsmouth Police Department drug hotline at (740) 354-DRUG (3784), or the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office drug hotline at (740) 351-1094, or e-mail drugs@sciotocountysheriff.com. All information will be kept confidential and anonymous.