Frank Lewis

PDT Staff Writer

Authorities confiscated a number of pills, a handgun and over $5,000 in cash in the arrest of two Wheelersburg residents.

Scioto County Sheriff Marty V. Donini and Portsmouth Police Chief Robert Ware said at approximately 3:46 p.m. on Tuesday, the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force executed a Narcotics-related search warrant at the residence of 33-year-old Robert D. Lawson and 30-year-old Patricia J. Dixon at 782 Center St. in Wheelersburg.

Upon a search of the residence and property, Task Force Officers said they seized 86 suspected Oxycodone 30 milligram pills, with a street value of over $3,000; 43 suspected Hydrocodone pills; 11 suspected Suboxone pills; seven Xanax pills, a .380 caliber handgun and over $5,000 cash. Task Force detectives also seized property worth thousands of dollars suspected of being derived from the proceeds of drug trafficking.

Donini and Ware said the search warrant execution was the result of a month-long investigation by Task Force detectives.

Lawson and Dixon were both arrested and charged with Trafficking in Drugs, a felony of the First Degree and Possession of Drugs, a felony of the Second degree.

Both Lawson and Dixon were placed in the Scioto County Jail and each were held on a $75,000 bond.

Cases against Lawson and Dixon will be forwarded to the Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office to be presented to a Scioto County grand jury for the consideration of additional felony drug charges.

Donini and Ware thanked the public for their assistance in the case and said anyone wishing to leave drug information for the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force may contact the Task Force tip line at 740-354-5656 or e-mail drugs@sciotocountysheriff.com. All information will be kept confidential and anonymous.

Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 252, or at flewis@civitasmedia.com.