Franklinton house allegedly used to sell drugs shut down by city

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A house in Franklinton that Columbus police have monitored for nearly two years for drug activity has been shut down by the city.

Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein announced that a temporary restraining order was obtained to shut down a house at 66 Stevens Avenue, which police have investigated for alleged drug trafficking and other criminal activity since 2022.

The house was first marked on CPD's radar in May 2022 when a search warrant was obtained and officers found and seized cocaine on the property. Police continued to monitor the house and officers were dispatched in Oct. 2022 after reports of a shooting. They found bullet holes in the exterior of the house, and also spoke with someone leaving the home who told them drugs were frequently purchased at the property.

In 2023, court documents said that police executed another search warrant and found 0.18 pounds of cocaine and a semi-automatic firearm in January. Reports of people threatening others with a gun were received later in 2023. Police in 2024 then made covert purchases of counterfeit cocaine and narcotics.

A preliminary hearing on the case is scheduled for Feb. 26 at 9 a.m.