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140 pounds of meth seized from Boston Heights warehouse; believed to be largest bust in Ohio history

Three people were arrested.

Federal authorities say they have seized more than 140 pounds of methamphetamine from a Hudson warehouse in what is believed to be the largest meth bust in Ohio's history.

Thirty-six-year-old Tyrone Rogers, of Cleveland, was arrested along with Mexican nationals Hector Manuel Ramos-Nevarez, 26, and Gilbert Treviso Garcia, 24. All three are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

“These seizures are yet another example of the prevalence of drugs and the demand for drugs in the Cleveland area and surrounding communities,” DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy Plancon said in a statement. “The DEA continues our efforts to target drug traffickers especially those contributing to the opioid epidemic in America.”

Officials took 82 pounds of crystal meth from the location on the 7500 block of Olde Eight Road on March 24. They were executing a delayed-notice search warrant, leading the three suspects to believed they had been robbed. That's when Rogers got the "green light" to kill who he believed stole the drugs from his Mexican supplier, according to intercepted phone calls.

Authorities went back to the location and arrested all three men later that day, believing they might harm someone they incorrectly believed took the drugs. During the second search, an additional 60 pounds of liquid meth were discovered.

“Although we in Northeast Ohio are far from the border, these cases demonstrate that the threat posed by Mexican criminal organizations to our region is very real,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “International drug trafficking organizations are active right here in our backyard and they seek to profit from the misery of our friends and neighbors struggling with addiction"

The meth bust came the same week after another Mexican national was arrested on State Route 8 in Akron for having 44 pounds of heroin. Octavio Barragan-Manzo was indicted Tuesday on one count of possession with intent to distribute.

"Law enforcement in Ohio is working every day to stop those bringing these deadly drugs into our state," Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said. "Task forces operating as part of my office's Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission will continue to work in partnership with state, local, and federal authorities to intercept drugs before they can be abused."

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