By BECKY MARTINEZ
bmartinez@crescent-news.com
A Defiance man was arrested on a heroin-related charge early this morning.
The Multi-Area Narcotics Task Force (MAN Unit) arrested Thomas McCoy, 24, 516 First St., on a charge of possession of heroin, a second-degree felony. He was taken to the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio, rural Stryker.
According to Major Doug Engel of the MAN Unit and Defiance County Sheriff Dave Westrick, the Defiance Police Department assisted in the execution of two search warrants at the First Street address starting at 11:20 p.m. Monday.
McCoy, the owner of Platinum Gaming, a business downstairs from his second-floor residence, allegedly was found to be in possession of approximately 17 grams of heroin. He was arrested shortly after 12 a.m.
"Over the last 30 years, this is only about the third time we've arrested someone on heroin possession. It's the first time we've confiscated this proportion," said Westrick.
The drug has an estimated street value of $2,550.
Also confiscated were gaming cards and other electronic devices.
Platinum Gaming, a business for video gaming and magical card games, according to Engel, was open from 7 p.m.-7 a.m. McCoy claimed to have day hours but was rarely seen open, Engel said.
The business has been shut down due to the arrest.,
"The investigation was ongoing for months. Last night was the culminating event," said Westrick.
Further arrests and charges are expected.
The case, which remains under investigation, will be presented to a Defiance County grand jury.