ST. CLAIRSVILLE — A joint investigation between the Belmont County Sheriff’s Department and the St. Clairsville Police Department resulted in the arrest of a “major local player” in narcotics trafficking, according to the sheriff’s department.

Sheriff’s detectives and officers from the St. Clairsville and Bellaire police departments executed a search warrant at the home of Curtis Edward Dunfee, 36, on West 23rd Street in Bellaire.

Dunfee reportedly was found hiding behind a furnace in the basement and taken into custody. Officers also said more than ¾ of a pound of methamphetamine and various amounts of fentanyl and heroin pills were recovered, along with $4,000 in cash.

Dunfee is being held at Belmont County Jail for first-degree felony trafficking in drugs, possession of drugs, and an outstanding arrest warrant for failure to appear out of Belmont County Northern Division Court.

Anyone with any information related to this investigation is asked to contact Cpl. Jason Schwarck of the sheriff’s office, 740-695-7933, or Officer T.J. Weyand of the St. Clairsville Police Department at 740-695-0123..