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Tuesday, June 18, 2013 | 3:12 a.m.

Updated: 5:03 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, 2013 | Posted: 3:27 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, 2013

7 face charges in connection with Weirton drug bust

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By NEWS9

WEIRTON, W.Va. —

 
Investigators said five adults and two juveniles are facing charges in connection with a marijuana bust in Weirton.

Police said their surveillance targeted 22-year-old Ronald Johnson, who lives in an apartment on 938 Byron St.

But their investigation also resulted in the arrests of Andrew Mainenti, Austin Jones, Thomas Hayhurst, Justin T. Riggs, and the two juveniles.

Investigators said they seized 6 ounces of marijuana with a street value of about $1,600. They also recovered items used to smoke marijuana, packaging material and a digital scale.

Weirton police Sgt. Ricky Grishkevich said police had information that Johnson was in Steubenville buying marijuana to re-sell in West Virginia. Grishkevich said Weirton police waited near Johnson's residence for him to come home.

"He arrived with two other individuals who were also involved with the transportation into the state of West Virginia," Grishkevich said. "(Johnson) did advise us also that he was expecting numerous individuals to come to the residence to purchase marijuana so we again posted up inside the residence and multiple individuals showed up to purchase marijuana and they were placed under arrest."

Grishkevich said more people could be arrested as a result of the investigation.

"The target (Johnson) was cooperating with us he advised there were multiple other individuals that he has sold marijuana to so we're going to analyze the cell phones. There's possibly several more individuals going to be involved in this investigation," he said.

As of Friday afternoon, it was not clear when the other arrests could be made.

Stay with NEWS9, WTOV9.com and WTOV9 Mobile for continuing coverage.

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