Man arrested for trafficking in heroin

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Heroin continues to be the new drug of choice in Scioto County.

The Portsmouth Police have arrested a male individual for Trafficking in Drugs and Possession of Criminal Tools. The arrest occurred at 1511 5th Street at about 12:56 p.m., Sunday afternoon on Jan. 3, 2016.

A baggy containing 23.84 grams of heroin with a street value of $2,400, $847 cash, a set of digital scales and other items used in the sale and abuse of heroin werer confiscated and Joshua Michael Smith, 35, of 1917 Summit Street was arrested.

Officers of the Portsmouth Police Department said they responded to a complaint of a large amount of suspicious traffic going to and from 1511 Fifth Street, at around 12:56 p.m.

Officer Steve Timberlake and Officer Mike Queen responded to the complaint and found several known subjects in the rear yard of the residence.

Upon obtaining consent from the resident, Misty Scott, officers entered the residence where they encountered several other subjects, police reported

One of the subjects was Smith, whom they said became quite nervous with officers being present and kept acting in a manner the officers said gave them reason to be concerned for their safety, police said.

Operations Captain Lynn Brewer said a pat down for weapons was done of Smith’s outer clothing to make sure he did not possess a weapon.

When Officer Timberlake patted down the waistband of Smith’s pants he felt a bulge in the waist band. Upon contacting the bulge, Smith exclaimed a profanity and a baggy fell out from under his shirt, according to the report.

Police said the baggy was found to contain approximately 23.84 grams of an off white powder that tested positive for heroin. Smith reportedly told officers the cash, $847, was from the sale of the heroin. Smith was also found to be in possession of a set of digital scales and other items used in the sale and abuse of heroin.

Smith was taken to the Portsmouth Police Department for processing and then to the Scioto County Jail. He was to be arraigned on the charges Monday morning in Portsmouth Municipal Court.

The trafficking in drugs charge is a felony of the first degree and carries a penalty of up to 11 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000. The possessing criminal tools charge is a felony of the second degree and carries a penalty of up to 8 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.

The case will be presented to a Scioto County grand jury at a later date where Brewer said additional charges could be filed.

The Portsmouth Police Department took the opportunity to thank the concerned individuals who called in and reported the suspicious activity.

“The help of the community plays a vital role in ridding our neighborhoods of criminal activity,” Brewer said.

He said information can be reported to the Portsmouth Police Department by calling 740-353-4101, 740-354-1600 or by simply stopping any Portsmouth Police Officer and that anyone who wants to provide information to the police has the right to remain anonymous.

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Smith
http://portsmouth-dailytimes.aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2016/01/web1_Joshua-Smith.jpgSmith

By Frank Lewis

[email protected]

Reach Frank Lewis at 740-353-3101, ext. 1928, or on Twitter @franklewis.

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