Several Urbana police officers served a search warrant at an apartment located at 813 W. Court St. at 5:08 p.m. Tuesday as part of an ongoing investigation into drug trafficking and counterfeit money.
Four people were detained during the raid including Cody Merica, 22, and Harley Merica, 23, both of 813 W. Court St.; Jonathon L. Barbee, 22, of 10255 Bradford Bloomer Road, Covington; and Megan M. Mitchell, 23, of 201 W. Water St., Urbana.
Officers seized currency, marijuana paraphernalia, illegal prescription medication, two firearms and equipment used for processing and distributing marijuana. The search warrant was the result of an ongoing investigation focusing on trafficking in marijuana in the city, including the campus of Urbana University.
During the raid, an occupant of the residence attempted to flush evidence down a toilet.
Urbana Police Chief Matt Lingrell stated this case will be presented to an upcoming Champaign County grand jury.
Later in the evening, a follow-up investigation was conducted, which took officers to Urbana University, where they were aided by university staff in recovering illegal prescription medication, marijuana and drug paraphernalia from university dorm rooms.
Curtis W. Galloway Jr., 21, of Cincinnati, was arrested during the investigation and charged with multiple felonies involving illegal prescription medications.
According to the Champaign County Municipal Court’s website, Galloway’s bond was established at $10,000 on Wednesday and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 18.
Lingrell stated Urbana police appreciate any help the public can provide in dealing with illegal drug activity throughout the community. Citizens are encouraged to contact police at 937-652-4350 or their crime/drug tip line of 937-652-4357 whenever they suspect illegal activity is occurring.
