Several shots were fired at Summit County SWAT team members while deputies were executing a search warrant in Akron targeting suspects involved in a drug smuggling ring.
Summit County Sheriff Inspector Bill Holland said several shots were fired while authorities attempted to arrest 35-year-old Darin L. Wright inside a home in the 600 block of Allen Avenue.
Wright's father, John K. Wright, shot at SWAT team members after his son was arrested. A bullet struck the helmet of a SWAT team member, but the officer was not harmed.
Authorities said no one was injured during the shooting. John Wright has been charged with felonious assault against a peace officer.
"It's just an illustration of how dangerous this job can be for the agents, officers and deputies that fight these drug organizations on a daily basis," said Holland.
Bullet Hits SWAT Officer During Drug Raid by Amani Abraham
Federal and local officials announced Tuesday afternoon that a dozen people have been indicted in connection with smuggling cocaine and marijuana into the Akron and Canton area over the past year.
More than 220 pounds of cocaine were shipped across the country from California to Ohio. A portion of the drugs were hidden inside hollowed-out engine blocks (shown in the photo to the left) and distributed using the U.S. Postal Service and semi tractor trailors.
"These drug organizations are pretty ingenious," said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Carole Rendon. "They come up with all sorts of different ways to bring their drugs here, to our communities, and to send their profits back to their sources of supply."
According to the indictment, the conspiracy took place between mid-2011 and April of 2012. Rendon said twin brothers, Dale and Darryl Colbert, of California, arranged to ship the drugs to several businesses in the Akron and Canton area.
Search warrants have been executed for 11 out of the 12 suspects charged in connection with drug trafficking and related financial crimes.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, DEA, the Akron Police Department and the Summit County Sheriff's Office assisted in the investigation.
