TASK FORCE AGENT LAUDED FOR WORK IN DRUG BUST

MEDINA - An agent with the Medina County Drug Task Force last week
received a Special Award of Honor for participating in a three-year
investigation called "Operation Dark Star."

The award, given by the International Narcotic Enforcement Officers
Association, is a result of the 30-count indictment naming 55
suspects in Ohio, Arizona and Florida, a press release stated.

"It was a huge honor for the entire agency to be involved in a case
spanning so many states to begin with, let alone to receive an
international award," said award recipient Agent Smith, who refused
to provide a first name, citing safety reasons. "We wouldn't have
gotten this had we not worked together on the case."

Each suspect was charged in April with conspiracy to distribute
crystal methamphetamine, ecstasy and the date-rape drug, GHB (gamma
hydroxy butyrate).

The alleged "ringleaders" in Ohio were [names redacted]. The men
reportedly received weekly shipments from suppliers in Phoenix and
ran a network that distributed the drugs in Northeast and southern
Ohio as well as Miami, the press release stated.

Numerous transactions allegedly were conducted in a Medina County
apartment, the release stated.

County residents charged in the investigation were [names redacted].

At the time Operation Dark Star was completed, former Agent in Charge
Fred Wolk said the Medina County Drug Task Force dedicated numerous
resources to the investigation and much of the alleged activity took
place in the county.

The Summit County Drug Unit, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification
and Investigation and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration also
received the award.