WHEELING — City police officers made 13 arrests — including two for maintaining or operating a location for drug purposes — following a special operation aimed at cutting down on drugs, prostitution, and other quality of life complaints in the downtown area.

Chief Shawn Schwertfeger said his department used data analysis supported by numerous complaints and observation of suspicious activity over the last several months to initiate the operation in and around the Knights Inn, located at 949 Main Street.

“I am very pleased with the professional work of the WPD, especially our patrol division,” Schwertfeger said. “Under the leadership of Sgt. Jason Hupp, our officers were able to make a direct impact in downtown, with the goal in mind to continue the Wheeling Police Department’s core mission of making Wheeling a safer community.”

Officers spent a total of 202 hours on the month-long task. In addition to the arrests, 14 citations were issued and various amounts of illegal drugs, and drug using materials, were confiscated, including:

* Cocaine – 1.99 grams

* Fentanyl – 2.24 grams

* Heroin – 0.97 grams

* Marijuana – 512.739 grams

* Methamphetamine – 8.49 grams

* Assortment of prescription pills

* Digital scales, needles, smoking devices

Felony Arrests:

* David Arthur Hess, 58 of Wheeling, possession with Intent to Deliver

Misdemeanor Possession Arrests:

* Eric Lee Hercules, 39 of Wheeling, two counts of Possession of Controlled Substance

* Bryan L. Broomes, 43 of Wheeling, possession of Controlled Substance

* Tiffany Nicole Fazio, 32 of Wheeling, two counts of Possession of Controlled Substance

* Edgar Eugene Hatten, 40 of Wheeling, two counts of Possession of Controlled Substance

* James Allen Lucious, 62 of Wheeling, possession of Controlled Substance

DUI Arrest:

* Michael Leander Gross 55, of Martins Ferry, Aggravated DUI

Fugitive from Justice Arrests:

* Beth Ann Davis, 38 of Wheeling, wanted for Failing to Appear for Possession Charge – Belmont County, Ohio

* Joseph Micah Pepp, 28 of Pittsburgh, wanted for Arson – Allegheny County, Pa.

* Brandy Lee Plunkett, 40 of Wheeling, wanted for Obstructing – Belmont County, Ohio

* William Lee Stevens II, 30 of Wheeling, wanted for obstructing

Maintaining/Operating a Drug Premise Arrests

* Anand Arvind Patel, 37 of Wheeling, arrested for Maintaining/Operating a Drug Premise

* Daniel Paul Wheeler, 30 of Wheeling

Arrested for Maintaining/Operating a Drug Premise