ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Belmont County Sheriff’s Department’s Major Crimes Unit conducted a major drug sweep in which 41 suspects were charged with drug trafficking — 15 of them were arrested, seven were already incarcerated and 19 remain at large.

The investigation that led to the charges and arrests has been ongoing for several months, and Sheriff Dave Lucas partnered with Martins Ferry Police Chief John McFarland, Martins Ferry police Officer Tim Starkey and Bethesda Police Chief Eric Smith serving as the Major Crimes Unit to conduct “controlled buys” of illegal drugs through confidential informants. Most of the charges involve trafficking in either heroin or cocaine. Only one suspect was charged with marijuana trafficking. All those arrested Friday morning were lodged in the Belmont County Jail.

“It was a really successful morning making these arrests. This is a good example of what teamwork is — working together as one group, putting all these cases together,” said McFarland, who also serves as commander of the county’s drug task force.

“I credit the officers who investigated these cases and credit all the departments and chiefs that sacrificed their officers and their time, which allowed them to investigate these cases.”

McFarland also thanked Belmont County Prosecutor Dan Fry and his office, as well as Belmont County Children’s Services for their help with the operation. He noted that children were residing in many of the homes where arrests were made.

“I think there were nine locations that had children inside,” McFarland said. “Children’s Services interacted with them and made sure the children were safe, and they will follow up on those cases.”

Lucas thanked the investigators for their hard work on the successful operation and said investigations like this will not stop.

“Myself and all the chiefs and officers in Belmont County are working hand in hand, side by side and we’re not going to stop. We will continue on,” Lucas said. “Like I have said before, if you’re a drug dealer, get out of Belmont County. You can go someplace else, but if you’re in Belmont County we’re going to stay on your tail until we put you behind bars.”

Starkey noted that the 19 suspects who had not been arrested Friday may run, but they will be picked up eventually.

“We always find them. They are on a pick-up radius of 1, which means a nationwide alert. We found someone who ran to California once,” Starkey said. “If they want to run, they always screw up. All it takes is a traffic stop.”

Those arrested Friday were: William Rodney Heath of Bellaire, Anthony Peter Busack of Bellaire, Lani Marie Starr Cunningham of Martins Ferry, Michael Keith Jeffers of Bellaire, Ryan Taylor Patterson of Bellaire, Cory James Long of Bellaire, Terry August Loges of Bridgeport, Stella Marie Purcell of Martins Ferry, Donna Marie Swauger of Martins Ferry, Leah Renee Greathouse of Martins Ferry, Antuan Pierre Murphy of Bridgeport, Jazmyne Ann Marie Gooch of Martins Ferry, Johnathan Wayne Murphy of Martins Ferry, Duane E. Davis of Martins Ferry and Heather L. Gerevics of Martins Ferry.

Those charged who are already serving jail time were: Robert Marthaler of Bellaire, Sean David Eugene Ivory Burt of Martins Ferry, Donald Ray Pyle of Bridgeport, Clint Maurice Lekanudos of Martins Ferry, Jermaine Thompson of Martins Ferry, Timothy Ryan Abate of Bridgeport and George Lee Harris Jr. of Bridgeport.

Those who were charged but still remained at large Friday are: Rasean Alexander Pitts of Bellaire, Anthony Lewis Hocker of Wheeling, Christopher Lashawn Hicks Jr. of Bellaire, Dylan Michael Johnston of Bellaire, Quantrell Lamart Hamler of Bellaire, Jordan Ann Richardson of Columbus, Jerry Robert Fleming of Cleveland, James Andrew Stewart Jr. of Bridgeport, Dajuan Maurice Waddell Sr. of Bellaire, Melissa D. Ullom of Bridgeport, Farron D. Nettles of Bridgeport, Edward Lee MCardle of Bridgeport, Jessica Ann Lee of Martins Ferry, Elliott Williams of Cleveland, Eban Joseph Keith Beyah of Cleveland, Raymond N. Drake of Cleveland, Jenette Lynn Holland-Ebbert of Bridgeport, Dermial Herbert Buster Mills of Bellaire and Kisha Rachel Hocker of Bellaire.