ZANESVILLE — Authorities have identified the suspects in one of the largest drug busts in Guernsey County history as Kimbolton area residents Nicholas A. Bair, 40, and Janet L. Gartner, 41, who both remained incarcerated in the Muskingum County Jail.
Bond for Bair was set at $2 million, cash or surety, while Gartner has a $1.5 million bond. Both bonds have special conditions including electronically-monitoring if released from jail.
Preliminary hearing for the pair have been scheduled for April 25 in the Muskingum County Court.
Bair and Gartner both face two counts of trafficking in drugs, first-degree felonies, and one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, a first-degree felony.
They were arrested in Muskingum County Monday while Central Ohio Drug Enforcement Task Force agents in conjunction with the Guernsey County Special Response Team and Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at their Earley Road home in northern Guernsey County at approximately 1:30 p.m.
Bair and Gartner face single counts of aggravated possession of drugs, first-degree felonies, filed with the Cambridge Municipal Court Thursday. Warrants have been issued for their arrest if they are released from the Muskingum County Jail.
Seized during the raid were several pounds of methamphetamine, an estimated 50 pounds of marijuana, cocaine and a large amount of THC oils and mushrooms. Cash, with some estimates exceeding $100,000, was also recovered from the remote home in Wheeling Township.
Authorities declined to release the exact amount of contraband seized at the residence. The street value of the narcotics is estimated to be thousands of dollars.
Investigators also reported finding several firearms along with the narcotics and cash.
Bair and Gartner had recently relocated to the remote area from Licking County, according to investigators.
The incident remained under investigation by the Guernsey County Sheriff’s Office and CODE Task Force.