A months-long heroin investigation by the Butler County Sheriff’s Office BURN Task Force has led to the arrest of a suspected heroin dealer, the seizure of six ounces of heroin, two ounces of cocaine/crack cocaine, two loaded handguns and more than $5,000 cash, according to the Butler County Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation culminated around 11 p.m. Tuesday when a search warrant being executed at 818 16th St., Middletown, with the help of Butler County Regional SWAT units.

The total value of the cocaine and crack cocaine is in excess of $20,000, according to the sheriff’s office.

Arrested in the sting were Rikki Sneed, 32, of the Middletown address. Sneed was taken to the Butler County Jail on two existing unrelated felony drug charge indictments out of Butler County Common Pleas Court. He also has been served on multiple outstanding warrants from Hamilton and area courts. Reed will face four first-degree felony drug charges for possession and trafficking, and a third-degree felony weapons under disability charge, all relating to the activity from last night.

The heroin-related arrest was the second in less than a week.

On Oct. 24, the Butler County Undercover Regional Narcotics Task Force agents and Fairfield police stopped 33-year-old Brian A. Thurmond of Chicago on Ohio 4 just south of Symmes Road in Fairfield.

Following a brief foot chase, police seized two ounces of heroin and about a quarter-ounce of crack cocaine, valued at $14,000, and the 1996 Chrysler LHS that Thurmond was driving. Thurmond was charged with five felony drug counts, felonious assault against a police officer and obstructing official business.

“It’s almost like pills and marijuana have taken a back seat to what was once rarely seen here,” Jones said in a statement. “Now, users and dealers alike are popping up right here with it. As long as they keep trying to peddle it, we’ll keep trying to stop it. We don’t want their poison in Butler County.”