Major Drug Bust in Portsmouth: $9,000 Worth of Illegal Drugs Confiscated in Recent Traffic Stop
A recent traffic stop in Portsmouth led to the confiscation of approximately $9,000 worth of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl. Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman announced the arrest of a man from Kentucky and a woman from Portsmouth following the incident on May 20, 2026. The traffic stop was initiated by Deputy Chase Johnson after discovering that the vehicle's registered owner had outstanding arrest warrants. During the search of the vehicle, a significant amount of suspected methamphetamine was found in a plastic bag on the passenger side.
The male passenger, Corey D. Bertram, was arrested for an active warrant, while the female driver, Sara M. Lansing, denied ownership of the drugs found in the vehicle. Deputies also seized over $1,200 in cash from Lansing, believed to be proceeds from drug trafficking. The total haul of drugs weighed 238 grams and had an estimated street value of $9,000. Both suspects were taken to the Scioto County Jail and appeared in court the following day.
Sheriff Thoroughman commended the deputies involved in the operation for their teamwork in removing these dangerous drugs from the streets. Residents can report suspected drug activity anonymously to the Southern Ohio Task Force Tip Line at (740) 354-5656 or via email at [email protected]. Remember, all suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.