UPDATE 10/12/12
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Nine people have been indicted for their alleged participation in a black tar heroin ring that investigators say was operating in Portsmouth and Scioto County, Ohio.

According to a press release from the Scioto County Sheriff, in July the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force initiated an investigation into the organization.

That investigation led to a traffic stop in September of a vehicle occupied by Arthur R. Adkins, 41, of Columbus, Ohio, and Jess Fleming , 22, of Vinton, Ohio.

Adkins and Fleming were arrested on drug-related charges and placed in the Scioto County Jail.

That same day, Task Force detectives raided the residence of Paul David Elrod, 58, of Portsmouth, Ohio. Detectives say they seized Oxycodone pills and physical evidence directly related to the possession of and/or trafficking of black tar Heroin.

Elrod, and Dorothy Stone, 30, of Portsmouth, were arrested on drug-related charges and placed in the Scioto County Jail.

Last Friday, Task Force Detectives, along with the Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office, presented the findings of the three-month investigation to a Scioto County Grand Jury.

The grand jury voted to indict Adkins, Fleming, Elrod, Stone, and five other Portsmouth area residents: 39-year-old Robert Collins, 38-year-old Cecil Collins, 33-year-old Jerry D. Collins, 31-year Melissa S. O’Roark and 27-year-old Anna Will on multiple criminal offenses that include engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, conspiracy to engage in a pattern of corrupt activity, trafficking in heroin and possession of heroin.

All nine people are being held in the Scioto County Jail without bond pending arraignment in Scioto County Common Pleas Court.

According to a release from the Portsmouth Police Department, The Southern Ohio Drug Task Force arrested Dorothy P. Stone, 30, of Portsmouth, Ohio; Paul D. Elrod aka "Dave Elrod", 58, of Portsmouth, Ohio; Jess Fleming, 22, of Vinton, Ohio; and Arthur Adkins, 41, of Columbus, Ohio. All are facing charges in connection with the bust.

About 8:30 p.m. Monday, detectives were investigating the trafficking of black tar heroin from Columbus into the Scioto County area when a traffic stop was made in the 5100-block of U.S. 23 South in Portsmouth.

Investigators say Arthur Adkins and Jess Flemings were in the 2001 Cadillac that was stopped. Detectives say they found 153.4 grams of heroin in the SUV, which has an estimated street value of $20,000. The SUV and $200 in cash were also seized.

Detectives also obtained a search warrant for the home of Paul "Dave" Elrod and Dorothy Stone. According to the release, investigators believe the large quantity of black tar heroin was headed to that home at 1706 Valley St. in Portsmouth.

According to the release, detectives seized 360mg of oxycodone tablets, a small amount of heroin, $2,260 in cash and a loaded handgun.

Portsmouth Police Chief Robert Ware said what he witnessed Monday night is historic for Scioto County.

"We seized what we believe is the largest amount of black tar heroin that's ever been seized in Scioto County," Ware said.

Despite that initial surprise, Ware said police are aware of the ever-growing black tar heroin problem.

"We know it's coming in," he said. "We're aggressively going after it, and if that's the lifestyle that people choose to lead then they're going to meet us."

The house along Valley Street where the drugs were headed is located just up the street from New Boston High School -- a major red flag for neighbors.

"We walk this neighborhood all the time, and a lot of our other friends live close and walk the neighborhood, too," resident Tiffany Cantrell said. "It's scary to think that those people are just living right next door."

As for the suspects, Adkins is being charged with trafficking in heroin (50-250 grams) and possession of heroin (50-250 grams). He is being held in the Scioto County Jail in lieu of $300,000 bail.

Fleming is being charged with trafficking in heroin (50-250 grams) and possession of heroin (50-250 grams). She is being held in the Scioto County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail.

Elrod is being charged with possession of heroin and possession of oxycodone. He is being held in the Scioto County Jail in lieu of $400,000 bail.

Stone is being charged with possession of heroin and possession of oxycodone. She is in the Scioto County Jail in lieu of $6,000 bail.

Additional charges are expected when the case is presented to a Scioto County Grand Jury. Investigators also expect to charge additional people as a result of the investigation into the heroin trafficking ring.

Any one that would like to leave drug information for the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force, contact, Portsmouth Police Dept. drug line at 740-354-DRUG (3784), or Sheriff’s Office drug line at 740-351-1094 or email drugs@sciotocountysheriff.com. All information will be kept confidential and anonymous.

Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for the latest information.

According to a release from the Portsmouth Police Department, The Southern Ohio Drug Task Force arrested Dorothy P. Stone, 30, of Portsmouth, Ohio, Paul D. Elrod aka "Dave Elrod", 58, of Portsmouth, Ohio, Jess Fleming, 22, of Vinton, Ohio and Arthur Adkins, 41, of Columbus, Ohio, are facing charges in connection with the bust.

Monday night, about 8:30, detectives were investigating the trafficking of black tar heroin from Columbus into the Scioto County area when a traffic stop was made in the 5100-block of U.S. 23 South in Portsmouth.

Investigators say Arthur Adkins and Jess Flemings were in the 2001 Cadillac that was stopped. Detectives say they found 153.4 grams of heroin in the SUV, which has an estimated street value of $20,000. The SUV and $200 in cash were also seized.

Detectives also obtained a search warrant for the home of Paul "Dave" Elrod and Dorothy Stone. According to the release, investigators believe the large quantity of black tar heroin was headed to that home at 1706 Valley Street in Portsmouth, Ohio.

According to the release, detectives seized 360mg of oxycodone tablets, a small amount of heroin, $2,260 in cash and a loaded handgun.

Adkins is being charged with trafficking in heroin (50-250 grams) and possession of heroin (50-250 grams). He is being held in the Scioto County Jail in lieu of $300,000 bail.

Fleming is being charged with trafficking in heroin (50-250 grams) and possession of heroin (50-250 grams). She is being held in the Scioto County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail.

Elrod is being charged with possession of heroin and possession of oxycodone. He is being held in the Scioto County Jail in lieu of $400,000 bail.

Stone is being charged with possession of heroin and possession of oxycodone. In Scioto County Jail in lieu of $6,000 bail.

Additional charges are expected when the case is presented to a Scioto County Grand Jury. Investigators also expect to charge additional people as a result of the investigation into the heroin trafficking ring.

Any one that would like to leave drug information for the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force, contact, Portsmouth Police Dept. drug line at 740-354-DRUG (3784), or Sheriff’s Office drug line at 740-351-1094 or email drugs@sciotocountysheriff.com. All information will be kept confidential and anonymous.

Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for the latest information.