Suspect 'fought for hours' in massive drug bust

CINCINNATI, OH (FOX19) - Authorities seized 21 pounds of a dangerous mix of heroin and fentanyl and more than $100,000 in cash in a multi-agency investigation that also resulted in the arrests of three people, Cincinnati police announced Wednesday.

One of the suspects, Anthony Penny, 29, made an initial appearance in federal court on Tuesday, said Lt. Steve Saunders.

Police called it "a very significant seizure in our region."'

The drugs have an estimated street value of more than $1 million.

"This really highlights the work and the efforts that we're doing in conjunction with our federal partners, our state partners, our local partners," said Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac.

The investigation started several months ago, as a result of a complaints from the community.

Tuesday, officials executed multiple search warrants across the city.

They found 21 lbs. of drugs in the 2800 block of Lawndale Avenue. Officials said the coroner's office confirmed that it was the heroin-fentanyl mix.

Officials called it the "largest seizure of this kind in greater Cincinnati."

Officers tried to arrest Penny at his Pippin Road home, but he got away on foot.

He eventually made it to College Hill and headed for the house on Lawndale.

That resulted in another foot chase.

"I've never seen anything like it, I've never seen anyone fight like Mr. Penny did, with law enforcement," said DEA Agent Tim Reagan. "It took 7 agents and officers from district four and my office to subdue him. And he fought for hours."

Reagan said it was all captured on body camera.

"Our officers were spit on, our officers were bit, they were punched, they were kicked," said Reagan. "And this was all while he was in handcuffs."

Penny was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for his own safety.

"Once at UC, the doctors, the nurses and the staff that work security there were spit on, were bit," said Reagan. "This man fought for hours because he knew what we had seized."

Cincinnati police's District 4 Violent Crimes Squad, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, Ohio State Patrol, and the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio executed multiple search warrants where dangerous drugs and money were seized, police said.

Additional search warrants and arrests are expected.

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