2 Ohio Police Officers Face Drug Charges Linked To Theft, Sale Of Cocaine

Columbus police officers John Castillo, 31, and Joel Mefford, 34, allegedly stole multiple kilograms of cocaine and gave the drugs to others to sell.

Two Ohio police officers have been hit with federal drug charges related to the theft and and sale of cocaine.

Columbus police officers John Castillo, 31, and Joel Mefford, 34, were arrested Thursday after an investigation found that both men stole cocaine while on the job, according to the Justice Department.

During a February 2020 investigation of a drug crime, Mefford “unlawfully gained access” to a person’s garage and found 2 kilograms of cocaine, according to his indictment. Mefford allegedly stole 1 kilogram of the drug and left the rest for police to find later with a search warrant.

Mefford is accused in a similar incident in March 2020, allegedly stealing cocaine found at a home during an investigation.

“It is further alleged that Mefford stole 20 kilograms of cocaine from the Columbus police property room in April 2020, replacing it with fake cocaine,” the Justice Department said in a statement.