7 arrested in Norwalk Township drug bust

NORWALK TWP. — Seven people were arrested Wednesday following a narcotics search warrant executed in the 5100 block of U.S. Route 250 North, Norwalk police confirmed. Chief Scott Dahlgren said the operation was part of "an ongoing joint investigation into narcotics trafficking" in the Norwalk area, carried out with assistance from the Huron County Sheriff's Office, the Erie County Sheriff's Office and the Huron County Dog Warden's Office. "During the execution (of the warrant), we did get suspected methamphetamine and fentanyl," Dahlgren said. "They also had some scales, bags, and we collected electronic devices, cell phones, laptops and some other paraphernalia items." Dahlgren said the search turned up numerous items associated with drug distribution, including scales, baggies and cash. Those arrested face charges including drug trafficking, permitting drug abuse, obstructing official business and resisting arrest. Here are the seven people arrested, and their charges: • David Oxenger, 42, Norwalk: Trafficking in drugs, permitting drug abuse • Amy Clark, 57, Cleveland: Trafficking in drugs, permitting drug abuse • Terra Howard, 41, Bellevue: Trafficking in drugs, permitting drug abuse • Preston Thorne, 37, Norwalk: Permitting drug abuse • Kari Thorne, 34, Norwalk: Permitting drug abuse • Tamara Harlan, 48, New London: Permitting drug abuse, obstructing official business, resisting arrest • Tammy Michael, 58, Norwalk: Permitting drug abuse All seven are currently being held in the Huron County Jail. Dahlgren said the case will be presented to a grand jury for potential additional charges related to trafficking. When asked whether investigators believe the suspects are connected to a larger organization, Dahlgren said there is "no indication at this time" that the group was part of a wider network. "Usually there's always somebody bigger in a sense," he said. "But we don't have anything right now saying that it's connected to a larger organization. We were investigating them and the drug trafficking from that residence into our community." Dahlgren confirmed that no officers were injured and that the raid went smoothly. "There were no weapons used, no taser, no (pepper) spray, none of that had to be deployed," he said. "They were mostly cooperative. They didn't necessarily come out of the house as fast as we were ordering them to, but they all eventually came out." The Norwalk Police Department thanked the assisting agencies for their support and encouraged residents with information about drug activity to contact law enforcement.