Federal agents arrest 2 Toledo men, seize 6 kilos of heroin

Ricardo Rivera, Andres Mendez face felony drug charges

5/19/2017
BY JENNIFER FEEHAN
BLADE STAFF WRITER

NORTH BALTIMORE — Federal agents today said they seized six kilograms of heroin and arrested two Toledo men on felony drug charges.

Ricardo Rivera, 40, was arrested Thursday after Drug Enforcement Administration agents on Wednesday said they observed him take a black duffel bag from his home in the 1400 block of Western Avenue in Toledo and place it in the trunk of a car.

Agents followed the vehicle to North Baltimore, a Wood County village along I-75 south of Bowling Green, where they arrested Andres Mendez, 25, on charges stemming from the sale and transportation of heroin.

Rivera is charged in federal court with distribution of heroin.

“The seizure of six kilograms of heroin in Toledo is significant, and not only puts a dent in heroin trafficking in the community, but also illustrates that DEA and our partners in law enforcement are working hard to slow the supply of this deadly drug into the region,” DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. Plancon said in a news release.

Separately, Rivera is awaiting trial in Lucas County Common Pleas Court for felonious assault stemming from the shooting of Brian Madrid of Northwood at Club Soda, 3922 Secor Rd., on March 25.