FRANK LEWIS

PDT Staff Writer

Heroin continues to be on the rise in the area as detectives arrested a man, and in the course of the arrest, seized over 50 grams of heroin, a loaded handgun and $1,556 in cash.

Sly D. Hollins, 21, of Dayton, Ohio, faces charges of trafficking in and possession of heroin, first degree felonies, and carrying a concealed weapon, a fourth degree felony after being taken into custody Friday.

Scioto County Sheriff Marty V. Donini said at approximately 9:51 a.m. Friday, members of the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force, which consists of narcotics detectives from the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office, the Portsmouth Police Department, and agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, arrested Hollins during a traffic stop of a vehicle Hollins was occupying on Robinson Avenue at the intersection of Young Street in Portsmouth.

According to Donini, Task Force detectives were continuing their investigation into heroin being transported into Scioto County and Portsmouth from Dayton, when they received information that led to the traffic stop of the vehicle Hollins was occupying. Hollins was found in possession of over 30 grams of suspected heroin and $1,556 cash. A search of the vehicle resulted in the the finding of a loaded .44 caliber handgun under the seat Hollins occupied and a set of digital scales.

Further information gathered by detectives resulted in a search warrant being obtained and executed by detectives at room 251 of the Days Inn Motel located on Ohio River Road in Wheelersburg, where detectives seized an additional 21 grams of suspected Heroin.

Hollins was arrested and placed in the Scioto County Jail. He is being held on $100,000 bond. Hollins is to be arraigned in Portsmouth Municipal Court on Monday at 9:00 a.m. A case against Hollins will be forwarded to the Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office to be presented to a Scioto County grand jury.

Donini said anyone wanting to leave drug information for the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force can contact the Sheriff’s Office drug line at 740-351-1094, the Portsmouth Police Dept. drug line at 740-354-DRUG (3784), or email drugs@sciotocountysheriff.com. All information will be kept confidential and anonymous.

Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 232, or at flewis@heartlandpublications.com