SUMMIT COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) – A total of 17 people are now facing charges after a multi-agency drug bust in Summit County. 15 of the people are charged federally and two suspects are facing state charges.

According to Akron police, the Akron Police Department Narcotics Unit, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents, Summit County Sheriff deputies, Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers, and the U.S. Marshals participated in the nearly 15-month long investigation.

Akron Police Lieutenant Michael Murphy said the suspects were running a drug trafficking pipeline between Akron and Pennsylvania.

During the investigation, investigators said they confiscated more than 15 pounds of methamphetamine, 50 grams of fentanyl, and two handguns.

The below suspects are facing federal charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine:

• Clarence Daniels, 44
• Larry Finch, 43
• Nicholas Helfrick, 45
• Ricardo Allison, 44
• Sheldon Bell, 36
• John Townsend, 42
• Bryce Dittman, 27
• Tyler Smith, 28
• Anthony Raunikar, 45
• Marcus Nixon, 45
• John Koza, 45
• Earl Breckenridge, 57
• Jazzmin Thomas, 30
• Samantha Lentz, 31
• Craig Consilio, 62

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (WOIO) – A 19-year-old South Euclid man is dead being shot in the head at a convenience store Thursday afternoon, and officials are now looking to identify the man pictured below.

Cleveland Heights police said the victim, whose name has not been released, died Friday afternoon while hospitalized.

CrimeStoppers announced $5,000 for information leading to the identity and location of anyone involved in the deadly shooting.

This happened around 1:30 p.m. Thursday as the victim sat in a car outside the Noble Food Deal in the 2200 block of Noble Rd.

According to police and Crimestoppers, several men arrived in a stolen red Kia and the victim was shot.

Crimestoppers added the Kia was later set on fire in the area of Holyoke Avenue and East 133rd Street in East Cleveland.

There are no arrests at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Cleveland Heights police at 216-291-3883. You can leave anonymous tips with Crimestoppers at 216-252-7463.

Police are also asking for any surveillance video from around the area at the time of the shooting.

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) -The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has issued a statewide air quality alert as Canadian wildfire smoke moves into the region, prompting residents to stock up on protective masks and air filters.

At stores across the state, customers are searching for N95-style respirators and home air filtration products. Health officials say N95-style respirators are the best option for smoke protection because they filter fine particles that typical surgical masks do not.

Stores see surge in mask and filter demand

Marcie Kozyra who was shopping at Discount Drug Mart on Fulton Road said she was relieved to find masks available. “I’m very happy to have this. Gives me a lot of peace of mind to be able to get these masks,” she said. She said she was specifically seeking out a mask rated for fine particles. “This is the particular mask (KN95) that I’m looking for. It filters in fine particles,” she said.

E & H Ace Hardware store manager Anthony Thomas said the demand started early. “First customers of the day, two contractors wanting air masks,” Thomas said.

He says customers are also asking about home air filters and that filters may need to be replaced more frequently than usual. “In my opinion, you should change them every 30 days, because if you look at it, especially now, your filter is definitely going to be dirty 30 days from now,” Thomas said.

Experts recommend limiting outdoor exposure

Experts say residents should limit time outside when air quality is unhealthy, use a well-fitting N95 when outdoors, and check home HVAC filters, as smoke can clog them faster than normal.

Kozyra said concern for her family drove her to find the best available protection. “Because of the air quality today, I’m very concerned for my family. To have actually the best mask that they can have under the circumstances, if we have to be in and out like you and I do, we might as well have a better mask on,” she said.

Demand compared to COVID-era buying

Peyton Markley, assistant manager at Discount Drug Market on Fulton Road, said the buying surge is unlike anything seen recently. “I personally have been seeing people buying face masks this much since COVID,” Markley said.

Markley said supervisors plan to hand-deliver additional masks to stores within the next few days rather than wait for delivery trucks. “I don’t think anyone was expecting the air to get that bad this fast,” Markley said.

The Ohio EPA says the alert will remain in effect until the smoke clears. Forecasters say that could be Friday.