Authorities Shut Down South Columbus Home Linked to Drug Activity

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A house on the city’s south side was officially shut down on Wednesday after being declared a public nuisance amid ongoing drug activity and related crime, according to the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office.

The property at 669 E. Mithoff Street became the focus of a lawsuit filed on August 5 by the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office Nuisance Abatement Unit and the Columbus City Attorney’s Office Property Action Team. The legal action followed an extensive investigation revealing persistent drug trafficking and possession at the residence.

Columbus Division of Police reports indicate officers have responded to the home 29 times since January 2023. The calls included incidents such as shots fired, assault, cutting and stabbing, drug overdoses, domestic violence, and stolen vehicle reports. Such repeated responses underscore the serious and ongoing threat the property posed to public safety in the neighborhood.

On May 8, a search warrant executed by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office resulted in the seizure of more than 162 grams of narcotics, including cocaine and crystal methamphetamine. Authorities also confiscated a pill press used to manufacture illegal drugs, a handgun, and two containers of ammunition.

The property is registered under two owners who are now deceased. Reports indicate that a son of one of the deceased owners resided at the home and is accused of using it as a base for drug-related operations.

Officials from the prosecutor’s and city attorney’s offices highlighted the closure as a key part of broader efforts to combat criminal activity and restore safety in affected neighborhoods. “This drug house has been a magnet for crime and a threat for the people who call this neighborhood home,” said Franklin County Prosecutor Shayla Favor.

Favor emphasized that nuisance abatement is more than just a legal measure; it is a practical strategy aimed at shutting down dangerous drug activity and enhancing public safety. “Closing this property is a critical step toward giving this neighborhood the safety and stability it deserves,” she said.

The Columbus City Attorney’s Office Property Action Team works closely with local law enforcement and community partners to identify and address properties that contribute to crime and disorder. These coordinated efforts focus on removing sources of violence and illegal activity to improve residents’ quality of life.

Neighborhood residents have long expressed concerns about the property’s impact, citing fears for personal safety and a decline in the overall livability of the area. The closure is expected to deter further illegal activity and signal a renewed commitment by officials to protect the community.

Nuisance abatement cases like this serve as an important tool in cities across the country, where problematic properties can fuel cycles of crime and instability. By targeting locations that serve as hubs for drug trafficking and violence, authorities seek to disrupt criminal networks and create safer environments.

As this case moves forward, prosecutors plan to pursue any related charges against individuals involved in operating the drug house. Law enforcement encourages community members to continue reporting suspicious activities to help maintain public safety.