Major drug indictment filed against a Van Wert man

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

What began as a late December, 2025 call for an overdose at a home in Van Wert led to the discovery of a massive amount of suspected drugs and now, a major drug indictment.

Earlier this month, a Van Wert County grand jury indicted Devin Couch, 21, of Van Wert on the following eight charges: trafficking in cocaine, a first degree felony with a major drug offender specification; possession of cocaine, a first degree felony with a major drug offender specification; aggravated trafficking in drugs, a second degree felony; aggravated possession of drugs, a second degree felony; trafficking in hashish, a second degree felony; possession of hashish, a second degree felony; trafficking in marijuana, a third degree felony, and possession of marijuana, a third degree felony. Each of the eight charges carries a one-year firearm specification, along with eight specifications for forfeiture of guns.

Due to a number of factors, if convicted on all counts, he would face a prison term of 11 to 90 years.

On Tuesday, Couch appeared for arraignment in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court and entered a not guilty plea to all of the charges. Judge Martin D. Burchfield ordered him held without bond and set a further hearing for 3 p.m. Monday, July 13.

On December 21, 2025, the Van Wert Police Department and Van Wert EMS were dispatched the possible overdose situation in the 700 block of N. Washington St. Police and paramedics arrived to find a younger male on the floor, unresponsive. He was treated by EMS and was transported to OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital.

While he was being treated at the scene, there were several drug items in plain view. The Van Wert Police department applied for a search warrant and confiscated what Police Chief Doug Weigle called at the time “an unbelievable amount of THC vape pens and cartridges.”

Other items that were consficated included:

• A very large amount of marijuana.
• A very large amount of hash oil or butter (Mason Jars)
• A significant amount of cocaine.
• A large amount of cash, gold, silver and copper bars (estimated worth of ($40,000)
• Other pills and drugs that yet to be tested.
• A large amount of rifles and ammunition, including a flame thrower.

At the time, the street value of the drugs alone was estimated to be approximately $250,000. The drugs were sent to a state lab for testing, which led to the length of time between the seizure and the indictment.

In a separate and unrelated hearing on Tuesday, Couch changed his plea to a single count of assault, a first degree misdemeanor. Sentencing was set for 3 p.m. Monday, July 13.