The Ironton Police Department made several drug busts over the weekend, with seven people going to jail on a variety of drug-related charges.

“It was an eventful weekend. We arrested numerous people over the weekend for drug charges” said IPD detective Captain Joe Ross. “I don’t know why, I guess it is just close to Christmas and people are out selling dope trying to make money for the family and stuff.”

• On Nov. 29 around 4:45 p.m., Patrol Officer Evan McKnight stopped Reggie Allen Crance, 28, of Ironton, while he was riding his bicycle because the officer knew there was an arrest warrant for him. During a search, McKnight found crystal methamphetamine on Crance and he was charged with possession of a controlled substance.

• On Dec. 1 around 5:45 p.m., Patrol Officer Kirsten Harris did a traffic stop and arrested the vehicle’s passenger, James R. Jenkins, 43, of Ironton, for possession after a baggie with 3.79 grams of fentanyl was found on him, tampering with evidence, trafficking and illegal conveyance of prohibited items onto the grounds of a detention facility or institution after a baggie containing 2.2 grams of crystal methamphetamine was found in his mouth.

• On Dec. 2 around 4 p.m., Patrol Officer Kirsten Harris did a traffic stop and ended up arresting three people in the vehicle. Harley R. Crance, 24, of Ironton, was charged with possession of crystal methamphetamine and resisting arrest. Ashley Wilson, 25, of Ironton, was charged with trafficking, possession and illegal conveyance of prohibited items onto the grounds of a detention facility or institution for having two blocks of black tar heroin, totaling 10.4 grams, which was found in her person. The driver of the vehicle, Shane Lewis, 30, of Ironton, was arrested for a warrant for failure to appear.

• On Dec. 2, around 1 a.m., Patrol Officer Joe Lewis arrest William D. French, 39, of Ironton, for tampering with evidence and trafficking for having two bags of crystal methamphetamine, totaling 7.17 grams.

• On Dec. 3 around 11:40 p.m., Captain Brian Pauley and K-9 Goose conducted a traffic stop and the canine hit on the smell of drugs. Casaundra Turvey, 35, of Ironton, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, tampering with evidence, trafficking and illegal conveyance of prohibited items onto the grounds of a detention facility or institution after 2.6 grams of crystal methamphetamine was found inside her person.

“Our officers are out there being very productive,” Ross said. “A lot of our new officers are off the charts with the work and it has helped tremendously.”

Ross said that the drug of choice used to be fentanyl and heroin, “but we have seen an influx of the crystal meth because it is easier to get,” he said. “People drive to Columbus or Huntington or ordering it off the Internet. It’s just easier to get right now.”

One upside of people abusing crystal methamphetamine as opposed to heroin or fentanyl is “we won’t see as many overdoses or deaths,” Ross said.

To report a crime to the Ironton Police Department, call 740-532-5606. You can leave an anonymous message.