Belmont County authorities announced several drug arrests recently made around the county, with five total people being taken into custody between three incidents.

– In one case, a minor traffic stop turned into a significant drug arrest, according to the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office. Detectives with the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Interdiction Unit assigned to the Attorney General’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 70 for a minor traffic infraction.

During the stop, detectives allegedly seized approximately four pounds of methamphetamine, approximately two ounces of fentanyl, and $2,000 in suspected drug proceeds.

Hashim Addae Dunlap, 43, of East Liverpool and Destiny Nichole Earich, 27, of Wellsville were arrested and booked into the Belmont County Jail on charges of possession of methamphetamine, trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of fentanyl, trafficking in fentanyl, tampering with evidence, and possession of criminal tools.

Detectives allegedly located the suspected methamphetamine being disguised as household rock salt. The suspected fentanyl was allegedly located concealed on Earich’s person.

The Bridgeport Police Department assisted Sheriff’s Office units during this incident.

Belmont County Sheriff James Zusack states that due to the amount of suspected methamphetamine, the suspects are considered major drug offenders under Ohio law.

– In another case, two people were arrested in Martins Ferry on Dec. 5, when the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Interdiction Unit and the Martins Ferry Police Department executed a search warrant along Elm Street. At that time, officials allegedly found a firearm, approximately 27 grams of cocaine, and suspected fentanyl.

Arrested were Joseph Pernell Monroe, 26, of Martins Ferry, on charges of resisting arrest, possession of criminal tools, having weapons under disability, trafficking in cocaine, possession of cocaine, and possession of fentanyl; and Cody Wayne Briggs, 31, of Cameron, on a charge of possession of fentanyl. Charges of possession of fentanyl will be sent to the prosecutor’s office for review.

– On Tuesday, Belmont County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Interdiction Unit arrested Samuel Jermaine Pete, 39, of Wheeling, for an outstanding warrant for trafficking in drugs. During Pete’s arrest, he allegedly was found in possession of a bulk amount of methamphetamine pills and a substantial amount of crack cocaine.

A subsequent search of Pete’s hotel room in the St. Clairsville area allegedly yielded drug manufacturing and packaging materials. He was booked into the Belmont County Jail for his warrant, as well as charges of possession of criminal tools, manufacturing drugs, and possession of cocaine and methamphetamine.