TORONTO - Two city men were arrested July 27 by City Police during a narcotics investigation into prescription drug trafficking.
Thomas L. Exterovich, 52 of 707 Federal St. and John J. Carouthers, 50 of 517 N. Seventh St. were arrested for trafficking in prescription drugs after controlled buys were set up by under cover officers and a search of Carouthers' residence, according to Capt. Rick Parker of the City Police.
"We had been receiving information on both suspects for the past 12 months and knew Mr. Extrovich was a key person in the distribution of illegal prescription narcotics in the city," said Parker, adding Carouthers was a key person in obtaining the drugs. "Through our investigation and telephone records obtained we were able to make an arrest on both suspects. During the search we recovered numerous pills, marijuana and cash money. Our investigation is continuing."
Parker said both were charged July 28 by the Jefferson County prosecutor, and Exterovich was charged with one count of trafficking in drugs and two counts of possession of drugs, while Carouthers was charged with one count of trafficking in drugs and one count of possession of marijuana.
Both suspects are in the Jefferson County jail, said Parker. The Toronto Police Department was assisted throughout the investigation by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department and the Jefferson County Drug Task Force, he added.
