SOUTH POINT— Five people were arrested Tuesday after a drug raid at a local motel.

Stephanie Crance, 43, of 2604 S. Fifth St., Ironton, was charged with trafficking in crack cocaine.

Paul Shope, 50, of 1503 N. Fifth St., Ironton, was charged with possession of crack cocaine.

Reginald Nobles, 26, of South Point, formerly of Detroit, Mich., was charged with trafficking in crack cocaine.

Larhonda Moton, 28, of Ashland, Ky., was charged with trafficking in crack cocaine.

Tina Sallie, 32, of Raceland, Ky., was charged with trafficking in crack cocaine.

All were taken to the Lawrence County Jail and are expected to appear Friday in Lawrence County Municipal Court. All but Shope, who posted bond, remained in jail as of Wednesday afternoon.

Lawrence County Sheriff Tim Sexton said the raid and ensuing arrests are the result of a lengthy undercover investigation by the Lawrence County Drug Task Force.

“We received information that indicated there was some drug activity at Southern Hills, what used to be Best Western on Solida

Road, and we recovered a small amount of crack cocaine and $800 in cash,” he said.

The drug task force receives funding from the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services. Sexton said such state and federal grants are imperative to fighting the war on drugs and he wishes he could receive more money for the effort.

“This year we did get an increase from the state — our first increase in eight years — but we’re looking at a reduction next year due to a reduction in available funding,” Sexton said. “We’re hoping for the best.”

Sexton encouraged anyone with information about drug activity in Lawrence County to leave information anonymously on the drug tip hotline. That number is (740) 534-5830.