Federal search warrants executed, four arrested in multi-state drug trafficking investigation

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Four people were arrested after federal search warrants were executed at homes in West Virginia and Ohio this week as part of an ongoing multi-state drug trafficking investigation, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.
 
On Thursday, agents from the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force and the Belmont County Drug Task Force, searched homes on North Broadway, North Huron, and South Penn Streets on Wheeling Island in Ohio County, WV and on Noble Street in Bellaire, Ohio.  Quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana, three firearms, and $4,000 in currency were recovered by agents. A Mercedes-Benz motor vehicle was also seized.

Agents arrested Clarence Bertram, 24, of Wheeling, West Virginia, and Dontrell Ivery, 38, formerly of Cleveland, Ohio and now of Wheeling, West Virginia on drug and gun charges and both will appear in state court in West Virginia.

Terrell Bruce Allen, 32, of Cleveland, Ohio was also arrested on drug and gun charges and will appear in state court in Ohio.

Niamah Assamad, 36, of Wheeling, West Virginia, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Felonious Assault and she will appear in state court in Ohio.

“This week’s execution of federal search warrants is just continuing proof of the success of the drug task force, and the cooperation of city, county, state and federal authorities,” said Ohio County Sheriff Pat Butler.  “I know citizens get impatient when they see obvious drug operations in their neighborhood, however these investigations take time.”
 
“I am personally and professionally vested in Wheeling Island, and I appreciate the cooperation among the local, state, and federal agencies that were, and are still, involved in the investigation,” said Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger.

The Ohio Valley Drug Task Force is a HIDTA-funded initiative and is comprised of officers and agents from the Wheeling Police Department, the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department, the West Virginia State Police-Bureau of Criminal Investigations, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The Belmont County Drug Task Force is comprised of officers and agents from the Barnesville Police Department, Belmont County Sheriff’s Office, Bellaire Police Department, Bethesda Police Department, Bridgeport, Ohio Police Department, Martins Ferry Police Department, Powhatan Police Department, Shadyside Police Department, and St. Clairsville Police Department.

 According to Ihlenfeld, additional charges arising from the investigation will be filed in the near future in both state and federal court.