WESTSIDE NARCOTICS TASK FORCE MAKES DRUG BUST IN COLUMBUS

  

An ongoing investigation by the Westside Narcotics Task Force led to the arrest of two men at a Columbus motel yesterday (Wednesday) morning.

Members of the Austin County Special Response Team executed a narcotics search warrant around 11am at the Columbus Inn located on the 2200 block of Highway 71 in Columbus.

Task Force officers had been investigating reports of narcotics being distributed from the motel.

The suspects, 25-year-old Jartavius Venghaus and 24-year-old Tajh McMurtry, were arrested without incident.

A search of the motel room in question turned up crystal methamphetamine, crack cocaine, ecstasy, and marijuana.

Officers also recovered several firearms including an AK-47 Style semi-automatic rifle.

Venghaus and McMurtry were both charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and three separate charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Venghaus also had active felony warrants from Harris County and the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole.

The Westside Narcotics Task Force covers four counties and is comprised of investigators from the Austin County Sheriff’s Office, Bellville Police, Sealy Police, Hempstead Police, the Waller County Sheriff’s Office, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office and the DEA.

The Colorado County Sheriff’s Office and the Columbus Police Department assisted the Task Force with this operation.