06/26/2026
On 6/25/26, Sheriff Brian McLaughlin and the Columbiana County Drug Task Force, along with units from the Wellsville Police Department, conducted a drug interdiction operation in the Village of Wellsville.
During the operation, CCDTF Agents observed Van Lamar Evans, a.k.a. “Lil’ Mike”, exiting Dairy Queen. Agents verified Evans had an active felony warrant through Columbiana County. Agents stopped Evans in his vehicle, at which point Evans attempted to flee. Evans then fought with Agents before eventually being detained.
Just prior to the stop, Agents observed Evans drop an item out of vehicle. That item was quickly secured by other Agents in the area, which was found to contain roughly 72g of suspected fentanyl. Agents also seized $2,225 in cash during the stop.
The goal of these operations is to target drug traffickers, as well as offer treatment and recovery services to suspects of low-level drug possession crimes. CCDTF partners with Columbiana County’s Mobile Crisis Response Team, who provide peer support professionals for these operations in all areas of the County.
CCDTF would like to thank the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office, Columbiana County Prosecutor’s Office, Salem PD, East Liverpool PD, Lisbon PD, Columbiana PD, Liverpool Twp PD, Wellsville PD, and Ohio Adult Parole for their assistance in the operation.