The local Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team arrested two suspects Monday, closing out a drug trafficking investigation involving two Columbus residents.
Dawnya Ward, 51, and Larry Ward Jr., 56, both of Columbus, were identified as suspected retail distributors of various illegal controlled substances, according to Columbus Police Department Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for JNET.
JNET obtained a search warrant to search the Ward’s residence in the 1500 block
of Union Street, Harris said Upon execution of the search warrant, Dawnya and Larry Ward were taken into custody by Columbus police officers.
During the search of the residence, suspected methamphetamine, fentanyl, marijuana, K2/Spice, drug paraphernalia, and digital scales were located.
Of particular concern were 188 suspected counterfeit Oxycodone 30 mg pills which were located,. Harris said. The counterfeit pills were small blue round pills with “M”
imprinted on one side and “30” imprinted on the other side. The pills later field tested presumptively positive as fentanyl. The total street value for the pills is approximately $3,700, Harris said.
DEA Laboratory testing reveals that six out of 10 fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills contain a potentially fatal dose of fentanyl.
During a post-Miranda interview with Dawnya Ward, she reportedly admitted to selling hundreds of the counterfeit oxycodone pills, Harris said.
Larry Ward is being preliminarily charged with dealing in methamphetamine as a Level 2 felony and dealing in a narcotic drug as a Level 2 felony.
Dawnya Ward is being preliminary charged with dealing in methamphetamine as a Level 2 felony and dealing in a narcotic drug as a Level 2 felony.
For more on this story, see Thursday’s Republic.
