14 People Indicted From A Drug Ring Travelling Between Columbus And Florida To Traffic In Oxycodone

Posted on 11/26/2012

Defendant: Michael Berry

Prosecutor Ron O’Brien announces today that the Franklin County Grand Jury has returned indictments against fourteen separate individuals involved in a drug trafficking ring allegedly led by Michael Berry, age 29. The counts in the indictments range from Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity, Aggravated Funding in Drug Trafficking, Conspiracy, Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs, Aggravated Possession of Drugs, Tampering with Evidence, and Having a Weapon while Under Disability. The investigation was conducted by the Columbus Police Department in collaboration with out of state and federal agencies. Mr. Berry’s organization was allegedly obtaining oxycodone and other pills from Florida pill mills and bringing them back to Franklin County for sale on the streets. The organization was bringing between $10,000 and $20,000 street value of drugs per week for at least two years. On November 17, 2012, Berry and 13 other members of the organization were arrested and search warrants were executed. 17 guns, including 3 assault rifles, a bullet proof vest, $8,102 in cash, and 900 pills with a street value of $27,000 were seized. “The organization may be subject to more indictments in the future,” O’Brien stated. Arraignment is set for today at 1:30 pm in courtroom 2A at 345 S. High Street.