VINTON — Following the execution of a search warrant on a Vinton residence Monday, 15 pounds of marijuana, an undisclosed amount of pills, and several weapons were seized by the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with a number of federal agencies, including a drug task force out of Columbus.

An occupant of the residence, Thomas Switzer, 32, was arrested following the search, and three other individuals were detained and questioned.

Police suspect the alleged activity to be part of a drug operation extending to Mexico and the west coast of the U.S. An investigation has been open for the better part of a year, beginning after 12 pounds of marijuana was seized in Rio Grande on Halloween of 2007.

Since that time, approximately 42 additional pounds have been confiscated, including the 15 pounds from Monday’s search.

Police also believe that this operation is bringing cocaine into the county, though none was turned up during the search.

According to sheriff’s Detective Chad A. Wallace, the drugs were packaged in mustard and axle grease in an unsuccessful attempt to throw authorities and drug dogs off the scent.

He added that the long-term goal of the sheriff’s office is to put together a federal case against several suspects involved in this drug trafficking, though it will likely take some time before the case is resolved.