Lake County Narcotics Agency

04/16/2026

NATIONAL DRUG TAKE BACK DAY IS SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2026:

The Lake County Narcotics Agency is partnering with the DEA and University Hospitals Lake Health System to conduct a National Drug Take Back Day event on April 25, 2026, from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. LCNA staff will be at UH Lake West and Tri Point Hospital's main entrance areas to receive your unused/discarded prescription medications.
National Drug Take Back happens twice each year and is an effort to highlight the danger surplus medications present if they fall into the wrong hands. Medications should not be flushed down a toilet or washed down a drain, and this program offers residents a safe way to dispose of old medications.
There are several locations throughout the county that offer drop boxes on a continual basis throughout the year. Anyone who wishes to dispose of their unused or expired medications can do so anytime at drop boxes located at the following locations:

Mentor Police Department
8500 Civic Center Blvd.

Lake County Sheriff's Department
104 E. Erie St.

Willoughby Police Department
37600 Euclid Ave.

Eastlake Police Department
35150 Lakeshore Blvd.

Willoughby Hills Police Department
35405 Chardon Rd.

Madison Twp. Police Department
2065 Hubbard Rd.

Willowick Police Department
30435 Lakeshore Blvd.

03/06/2026

SUSPECT RAMS A CAR AND TWO POLICE VEHICLES DURING DRUG TRAFFICKING ARREST:

On Thursday, March 5, 2026 at about 2:40 pm, LCNA Agents, Ohio State Highway Patrol Troopers, and Wickliffe Police Officers were conducting a drug trafficking investigation in the area of Euclid Avenue and Rockefeller Road in Wickliffe.

Agents observed a drug transaction occur in a parking lot, and agents, officers, and troopers approached the suspect car in an effort to block it in and arrest the driver. The car; a white GMC Acadia SUV, accelerated rapidly in the parking lot and struck an unoccupied car before ramming a state trooper’s marked patrol unit and an unmarked LCNA unit. The suspect car turned westbound on Euclid Avenue, but could only travel a short distance as it became disabled.

The suspect and only occupant was then taken into custody without further incident. He was found to be a 19 year-old male from Cleveland. As a result of this investigation, agents seized more than one ounce of suspected fentanyl, one-half ounce of crack co***ne, 3 grams of powder co***ne, packaging supplies and a digital scale, and roughly $1,400 in cash.

On March 6, 2026, the suspect was arraigned at the Willoughby Municipal Court on charges of possession of fentanyl, a first degree felony offense due to the amount of the drug, possession of co***ne (F5), two counts of trafficking in crack co***ne (F4), two counts of assault on a peace officer (F4), possession of criminal tools (F5), and fleeing and eluding (F3). He was ordered held at the Lake County Jail without bond.

This is our second incident in less than a week where a suspect acted dangerously and damaged police cars while trying to evade arrest. It demonstrates the dangers our agents and police officers face on a regular basis, but also highlights the results of teamwork with our state and local partners.

03/03/2026

FIREARM AND DRUGS SEIZED IN ARREST OF WANTED FEDERAL FUGITIVE:

On March 2, 2026 at about 5:15 pm, LCNA Agents and Eastlake Police Officers were conducting surveillance on a wanted federal fugitive and known drug trafficking/fleeing and eluding suspect. The suspect’s vehicle; a white VW Tiguan, was observed to be unoccupied in a shopping center parking lot, and it was assumed the suspect was inside a nearby store. Agents were aware that the suspect was wanted by the U.S. Marshal’s Service on a weapons charge and by the Willowick Police Department for obstruction. The suspect was also involved in two prior drug related fleeing and eluding incidents.

Agents watched as the suspect exited the store and walked towards his car. Agents began to block the suspect car in with unmarked police cars. The male saw this occurring and ran to his vehicle, entering the driver’s seat, starting the car, and attempting to flee. Two LCNA Agents successfully blocked the car, but both unmarked police cars sustained damage as the suspect surged forward in drive, and then backwards in reverse while trying to flee.

Unable to drive away, the suspect exited the car and tried to flee on foot. He was tackled by an LCNA Agent, and continued to struggle as other agents and EPD uniformed officers assisted in placing him in handcuffs. Nobody was injured during the apprehension.

As a result of this arrest, several items were recovered inside the car. A loaded Berretta 9mm handgun was found on the floorboard, directly in front of the driver’s seat, as well as notable amounts of suspected co***ne, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. Additional items were also seized as evidence.

The suspect; a 25 year-old Euclid man, was transported to the Lake County Jail and held on LCNA charges of Possession of Co***ne, a First Degree Felony due to the amount of the drug, Possession of Methamphetamine (F3), and possessing a loaded firearm as a convicted felon (F3). Additional charges will be presented to the Lake County Grand Jury at a later date.

The suspect was arraigned on March 3, 2026 at the Willoughby Municipal Court. His bond was set at $500,000 and he is currently being held at the Lake County Jail.

12/17/2025

In addition to arresting drug dealers, Lake County Narcotics Agents conduct a number of outreach and education services. We routinely refer drug dependent individuals to treatment services, we collect unused and expired prescription medications to avoid diversion and abuse, we talk with school students on the dangers of drugs, and we partner with our businesses to educate owners on the ever changing laws regarding THC, kratom, and other products.

Here is a brief look at some of our education efforts. A thanks to WEWS for helping us spread the word.

The Lake County Narcotics Agency is on a mission to educate local businesses about the laws surrounding CBD and h**p products that can and can’t be sold at Ohio stores.

10/31/2025

CRIME ALERT:

Over the last month, Lake County Narcotics Agents; assisted by our local and federal partners, have conducted several investigations involving methamphetamine being trafficked in pill form. These methamphetamine pills are pressed to resemble Adderall, a common prescription medication. This is an alarming trend as the potential for accidental misuse and overdose is high. The pills are orange in color and round in appearance. As we often remind our residents, the only safe place to receive medication is from your doctor and/or pharmacist.

In these recent cases, we served a pair of search warrants that led to the seizure of roughly 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine, as well as co***ne, M**A, anabolic steroids, illicit prescription medications, and six fi****ms; including two .223 rifles.

These investigations would not be possible without the assistance of our local and federal law enforcement partners. The attached photos show the orange pills in question, and several other items recently seized during these investigations.

10/24/2025

NATIONAL DRUG TAKE BACK DAY IS THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2025:

The Lake County Narcotics Agency is partnering with the DEA and University Hospitals Lake Health System to conduct a National Drug Take Back Day event tomorrow, from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. LCNA staff will be at UH Lake West and Tri Point Hospital's main entrance areas to receive your unused/discarded prescription medications.
National Drug Take Back happens twice each year and is an effort to highlight the danger surplus medications present if they fall into the wrong hands. Medications should not be flushed down a toilet or washed down a drain, and this program offers residents a safe way to dispose of old medications.

There are several locations throughout the county that offer drop boxes on a continual basis throughout the year. Anyone who wishes to dispose of their unused or expired medications can do so anytime at drop boxes located at the following locations:

Mentor Police Department
8500 Civic Center Blvd.
Lake County Sheriff's Department
104 E. Erie St.
Willoughby Police Department
37600 Euclid Ave.
Eastlake Police Department
35150 Lakeshore Blvd.
Willoughby Hills Police Department
35405 Chardon Rd.
Madison Twp. Police Department
2065 Hubbard Rd.
Willowick Police Department
30435 Lakeshore Blvd.

08/08/2025

TWO RECENT ARRESTS HIGHLIGHT OUR PARTNERSHIPS:

On Thursday, August 7, 2025 at about 4:45 PM, narcotics agents and Willoughby Hills Police Department officers were conducting an investigation along Bishop Road. Agents observed a suspected drug deal occur and a male suspect was detained in the parking lot of a local business. Further investigation led to the recovery of about 20 grams of suspected crack co***ne and more than $3,600 in cash. The 35 year-old suspect; from Maple Heights, was found to be wanted by the Willoughby Hills and Parma Police Departments for failing to appear in court. The male was transported to the Lake County Jail and held for arraignment on charges of drug trafficking, drug possession, and possession of criminal tools.

On Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at about 2:00 PM, narcotics agents, Willoughby Police detectives and patrol officers, and Ohio State Highway Patrol Troopers conducted a drug investigation in a North Willoughby neighborhood. As a result of this investigation, a 33 year-old man from Richmond Heights was arrested for drug trafficking and possession of criminal tools. About one half ounce of suspected heroin/fentanyl and about one half ounce of suspected crack co***ne were seized. The suspect is currently being held in lieu of bond at the Lake County Jail.

Both of these arrests highlight the work we do with our local, state, and federal partners in combatting drug traffickers in Lake County. The attached pictures are from the two incidents.

07/25/2025

07/14/2025

SEARCH WARRANT LEADS TO DRUG AND FI****MS SEIZURES:

On July 1, 2025 at about 12:30 PM, Lake County Narcotics Agents executed a search warrant at a townhome in the 1600 block of Mentor Avenue.

During the search, agents located about two ounces of suspected co***ne and one-quarter ounce of suspected heroin/fentanyl. Agents also located four handguns and a digital scale, along with packaging supplies for narcotics.

The search capped a lengthy drug trafficking investigation involving repeated sales of co***ne. A 50 year-old Painesville Township man was arrested for possession of co***ne, a first degree felony due to the amount of the drug. Additional weapons and drug trafficking charges will be presented to the Lake County Prosecutor's Office for indictment.

A thanks to the Lake County Sheriff's Office Sheriff Frank Leonbruno and the Painesville Police Department for their assistance with this investigation.

06/23/2025

SURVEILLANCE LEADS TO DRUG TRAFFICKING ARREST:

On Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at about 2:00 PM, Lake County Narcotics Agents were conducting surveillance at a Willoughby gas station when they observed a suspected drug transaction. Agents detained one male, while a second male fled on foot after being approached by an agent. After a brief foot chase, the male was apprehended without further incident.

Investigation revealed that the two males were in the process of a drug transaction when confronted. The male who ran attempted to conceal a bag of suspected crack co***ne when he fled, and this was later recovered.

Agents recovered more than $1,350.00 in cash and about 1/4 ounce of suspected crack co***ne. The suspect who fled was identified as a 38 year-old East Cleveland resident with several drug-related prior arrests. He was charged with felony drug possession, drug trafficking, and tampering with evidence. He was held at the Lake County Jail pending bond. Finally, he was found to be wanted by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office on a felony probation violation warrant from a prior assault case.

A thanks to Willoughby Patrol Officers who assisted our Narcotics Agents with this investigation.