BELLAIRE — Detectives with the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Interdiction Unit assigned to the Attorney General’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission began an investigation into drug trafficking in the area of the Bell Village Apartments in Bellaire on Tuesday.

Detectives conducted surveillance, a traffic stop, searched a vehicle and then executed a search warrant at an apartment in Belle Village.

Detectives seized approximately 112 grams of cocaine, 20 grams of fentanyl and 3 grams of methamphetamine.

Tiquise DeWayne Perkins, 21, Columbus, was arrested for an outstanding warrant. Moulaye Maka Sy, 19, Canal Winchester, was arrested for trafficking in cocaine, trafficking in fentanyl, tampering with evidence, possession of cocaine and possession of fentanyl. DaQuan Tamonte Simmons, 22, Columbus, was arrested for possession and trafficking in cocaine. Daia Prater, 20, Columbus, was arrested on an outstanding warrant. Turone Lamont Tatum, 20, Columbus, was also arrested on outstanding warrants.

Sheriff James Zusack said that detectives are currently furthering the investigation and anticipate additional arrests in the future. His interdiction unit will continue to investigate those bringing drugs into the county, as well as arrest those using Belmont County as a place to evade their active warrants. The Sheriff would also like to extend his appreciation to the Bellaire and Martins Ferry Police Departments for their assistance in this investigation.