Police and SWAT search suspected 'drug house' next to Ravenna elementary school

A man and woman are each facing a felony charge in connection with suspected illegal drugs found during a search of an apartment next to West Main Elementary School in Ravenna Monday.

The man, 34, and woman, 31, have both been charged with fifth-degree felony permitting drug abuse in Portage County Municipal Court in Ravenna, according to court records. Both are scheduled for arraignment Tuesday afternoon.

According to a Ravenna police report, police and Metro SWAT executed a search warrant at 657 W. Main St. at about 7 a.m. Monday and found the man and woman there. Police said they found bags containing a brown powder and a white rock substance that will be tested.

The man and woman were living in the apartment, but the actual lease holder, a woman, is in Portage County Jail for unrelated charges. Police said the man claimed the lease holder had sold meth from the apartment, but there was nothing illegal there since she left.

Police said that when they spoke to the lease holder at the jail, she claimed that the man was selling cocaine and fentanyl from the apartment and when she had confronted him, he threatened her.

Court records did not show charges against the lease holder in connection with the search as of Tuesday morning.

Ravenna Police Capt. Jake Smallfield said Monday morning that the search took place following a month-long investigation of alleged drug trafficking. Smallfield said police decided to conduct the search Monday because school begins Wednesday.

"We expedited the process, trying to get it done before school starts," he said. "We wanted them out of there when kids are going. We don't want a drug house sitting next to our schools."

Reporter Jeff Saunders can be reached at jsaunders@recordpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Police search suspected 'drug house' next to Ravenna elementary school