Two Men Face Federal Drug Charges Following FBI Bust in Toledo Area

TOLEDO, Ohio — Two men are facing federal drug charges after a major FBI operation dismantled a drug trafficking ring in Toledo and surrounding areas. The operation, which culminated in January, involved multiple search warrants and uncovered significant quantities of methamphetamine.

Thomas Zuber, a resident of Lambertville, Michigan, has been charged with drug trafficking after investigators linked him to an extensive drug distribution network. According to court documents filed on Monday, Zuber, along with an associate named Ibrahim Akl, allegedly ran the operation, which spanned from Detroit to the Kentucky border.

The FBI began surveillance on Zuber in September, suspecting his involvement in large-scale drug trafficking. Investigators conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine in December, leading to the execution of search warrants at two locations—Zuber’s home in Lambertville and a stash house on Upton Avenue in Toledo—on January 27.

At the Toledo property, authorities seized approximately 5,000 methamphetamine pills, along with drug manufacturing equipment found at Zuber’s home. The discovery marks a significant blow to the operation, which authorities say involved the distribution of methamphetamine pills to various locations across the region.

Zuber, who has a history of prior drug-related convictions, was previously convicted in 2009 and 2010 in Lucas County and again in 2017 in Wyoming. His criminal background may play a significant role as the case progresses through the court system.

Zuber appeared in federal court on Tuesday, where he was appointed a public defender. He is scheduled to return to court on February 5. Akl, the second individual charged in connection with the operation, is due back in court on January 30.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility of further arrests as they continue to probe the extent of the drug ring’s operations.