By Jane Prendergast
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Police and federal agents Monday broke up a drug distribution ring they say was selling pounds of marijuana and kilos of cocaine weekly throughout Greater Cincinnati.

Officers from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Cincinnati police worked together for a year on the investigation, which ended in 11 arrests Monday. They seized more than 200 pounds of marijuana - possibly as much as 300 - and more than a kilogram of cocaine, said Capt. Paul Humphries, boss of Cincinnati's undercover drug and vice units.

"That happens to be what was left over after a weekend,'' Humphries said. "These were absolutely multi-kilo dealers a week.''

Officers started about 6 a.m. on 20 federal search warrants, served in Price Hill, western Hamilton County, Northern Kentucky and other locations.

The man Humphries called the main target was Steven Kidwell, 27, who was arrested at a home in Green Township.

Officers also found money, at least eight guns and several bullet-resistant vests.

Also arrested: Julio Gallegos, 28; Larry Winningham, 30; Gary Young, 30; Ray Thompson, 23; Shannon Young, 32; Alan Shelton, 49; Raymond Verouzo, 31; Ricky Trutillo, 32; Araceli Jiminez, 23; and Stephanie Campbell, 25.

Humphries said he hopes the arrests send a message to suburban Hamilton County that anti-drug efforts are headed their way, too.

"I think a lot of times people think we're just focused on Over-the-Rhine and the West End,'' he said. "I hope Hamilton County thinks we did something.''

E-mail jprendergast@enquirer.com