Three recent cocaine busts, the latest one Monday, took more than 80 pounds of high-grade cocaine off the streets, authorities say. Local drug enforcement officers say the drug was earmarked for distribution in Greater Cincinnati.

        The 40 kilograms of cocaine seized in the separate busts has a street value of about $4 million, police said.

        Police on Monday executed search warrants in Colerain Township and Harrison. One kilogram of cocaine, two handguns, about $20,000 in cash and documents were taken from three locations.

        Two Harrison men are also under investigation in connection with the case.

        “We're just going to present all evidence to the federal grand jury,” said Thomas McGrath, coordinator of the Drug Abuse Reduction Task Force. “We fully expect several indictments to be returned.”

        Two busts last month left four people facing federal charges.

        The largest cocaine seizure in the three cases occurred Jan. 2, when agents grabbed 37 kilograms of the drug from a house in Deer Park. Aaron J. Smith, 22, of the state of California is facing a federal charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

        Officials did not detail the relationship between the Mr. Smith and the Deer Park property.

        The second bust was Jan. 21 at a Sharonville hotel, where agents siezed 2 kilograms of cocaine and a vehicle. They arrested Rene Meraz, 35, and a juvenile, both of Denver, who are charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, a federal charge. A third suspect, Jose Antonio Meraz, 32, has been indicted federally for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. He remains at large.

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