Four Plead Guilty in Richwood Drug Trafficking Ring

Last alleged member headed to trial after Union County drug operation bust

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:00pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a small plastic bag containing white powder, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.The guilty pleas in this regional drug trafficking case represent a significant blow to the flow of illegal narcotics in Union County, though the investigation is still ongoing.Marysville Today

Four of the five alleged members of the group behind a drug trafficking enterprise that operated between Richwood and Marysville in Union County have pleaded guilty to crimes connected to the operation. The last alleged member of the drug ring is headed to trial.

Why it matters

The guilty pleas represent a significant development in the dismantling of a major regional drug trafficking operation that had been impacting communities in Union County. The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to target and disrupt organized drug distribution networks.

The details

On November 20, 2025, a month after the initial arrests, four of the five alleged members of the Richwood-Marysville drug trafficking ring pleaded guilty to various charges related to their roles in the operation. The last remaining alleged member is scheduled to go to trial.

  • The drug trafficking enterprise operated between Richwood and Marysville in Union County between 2023 and 2025.
  • The group was busted and initial arrests were made in October 2025.
  • Four of the five alleged members pleaded guilty on November 20, 2025.
  • The final alleged member is headed to trial.

The players

Richwood-Marysville Drug Trafficking Ring

An organized criminal group that operated a drug trafficking enterprise between the cities of Richwood and Marysville in Union County, Ohio.

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What’s next

The final alleged member of the drug ring is scheduled to go to trial in the coming months, with prosecutors seeking to convict the last remaining suspect in the case.

The takeaway

The guilty pleas from four of the five alleged members of this regional drug trafficking operation represent a significant victory for law enforcement in disrupting the flow of illegal narcotics in Union County. However, the ongoing trial of the final suspect indicates that the investigation and prosecution of this case is still unfolding.