Task Force Raid on McCormick Road Nets Suspected Meth, Fentanyl, Cocaine and Firearms; Dayton Man Jailed

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Gallia County

A narcotics investigation ended Thursday evening with a search warrant raid on McCormick Road, a Dayton man in the Gallia County Jail, and a table full of suspected drugs and firearms seized, according to Gallia County Sheriff Matt Champlin.

Agents with the U.S. 23 Major Crimes Task Force, along with members of the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office, executed the search warrant at a residence in the 1500 block of McCormick Road on Thursday, October 22, following an extensive investigation into suspected narcotics trafficking.

Deputies seized a large quantity of suspected illegal narcotics, including significant quantities of suspected methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine. Several firearms were also seized during the search.

Barseem Knowledge Allah, 48, of Dayton, was taken into custody and charged with possession of narcotics. He is being held at the Gallia County Jail. The sheriff’s office said additional charges against Allah, and potential charges involving other individuals, are anticipated as the investigation continues.

“This is yet another example of the hard work and dedication our team demonstrates every day to protect our citizens and communities,” Champlin said in the statement. “We remain committed to identifying and holding accountable those who bring illegal narcotics into our county and threaten the safety and well-being of our residents.”

Champlin thanked the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office, the Gallipolis Police Department, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol for their help with the operation. The Gallia County Sheriff’s Office is a participating agency in the U.S. 23 Major Crimes Task Force, a multijurisdictional partnership that runs collaborative investigations across its member counties.

The charge against Allah is an allegation, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The investigation remains ongoing.

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