$3M in weapons and narcotics seized in one of region’s biggest drug busts

Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones said more than $3 million in drugs and guns were seized Tuesday in Butler County. One man has been arrested and charged with two felonies. RICK McCRABB/STAFF

Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones said more than $3 million in drugs and guns were seized Tuesday in Butler County. One man has been arrested and charged with two felonies. RICK McCRABB/STAFF

A Middletown man has been charged with two felonies for his alleged involvement in one of the biggest drug busts in the region, said Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones.

Michael S. Morales, of the 1800 block of Baltimore Street, was charged with trafficking in drugs and possession of drugs.

His bond was set at $30,000 Thursday in Hamilton Municipal Court and he posted bond, the sheriff said this morning during a press conference.

He said members of the Butler County Regional Narcotics (BURN task force conducted an investigation leading to the confiscation of about $3 million in weapons and narcotics Tuesday that were scheduled to be delivered in the 2600 block of Hamilton Cleves Road.

Agents watched as a Penske rental truck drove off at about 7:20 p.m. Tuesday. They stopped the truck, and the driver, the sole occupant, was identified as Morales, the sheriff said.

Numerous firearms were found in the residence, Jones said.

Inside the van, the agents found 30 large cardboard boxes that contained about 75,000 THC vape cartridges, 40 pounds of psychedelic mushrooms and numerous packages of THC edibles packaged as candy.

“This stuff will kill you,” Jones said.

Jones said the investigation is “hot” and he expects other arrests to be made, possibly by the end of today.

Michael S. Morales, of the 1800 block of Baltimore Street, was charged with trafficking in drugs and possession of drugs. SUBMITTED PHOTO

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