The Ritchie County Sheriff’s Department seized over $7,000 and methamphetamine from the residence of Raymond Mark Sellers of Harrisville. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — Local authorities arrested two men this week in separate drug cases.

In Harrisville, a Ritchie County man was arrested this week after drugs and items related to drug sales were found in his home.

Law enforcement conducted a search warrant of the home of Raymond Mark Sellers, 63, 863 Slab Creek Road, Harrisville, which stemmed from an ongoing drug investigation, according to a criminal complaint filed with the Ritchie County Magistrate Court and the Ritchie County Sheriff’s Office .

With the help of police dog Max, about four ounces of methamphetamine were found in three individual small bags which were found together in a dresser, the complaint said.

Another small bag of methamphetamine was found inside on a table in the living room along with over $7,000 in cash, marijuana, plastic bags and a scale, the complaint said.

Raymond Mark Sellers

The drugs were confirmed to be methamphetamine after they were tested, the complaint said.

“The Ritchie County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the West Virginia State Police for their assistance in this and other recent investigations,” the sheriff’s department said on its Facebook page.

Sellers is being charged with possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver and was being held at North Central Regional Jail on a $25,000 surety bond.

In Parkersburg, a Parkersburg man was charged with drug offenses after a traffic stop Tuesday afternoon that was initiated by the West Virginia State Police, the Parkersburg Violent Crime and Narcotics Task Force said.

State Police Trooper 1st Class S.S. Michael made the stop on a black Cadillac Deville near Cedar Grove Road and Happy Valley Road shortly before 4:30 p.m. Tuesday where agents with the task force responded to assist, a release from the task force said.

Matthew Gonzales

The driver was identified as Matthew Gonzales, 36, of Parkersburg, the task force said. Wood County Deputy Sheriff T.D. Marlow and police dog Ogi also responded, the task force said.

A search of the vehicle and Gonzales’ person produced a large amount of U.S. currency and about 16 grams of heroin, the task force said.

The traffic stop led agents to 828 Cedar Grove Road, Parkersburg, where a search of the property found 1 pound 12 ounces of methamphetamine, about 90 grams of marijuana and about 15 grams of heroin, the task force said.

Gonzales was charged with possession with intent to deliver heroin, the task force said. He also was found to be on parole in West Virginia, which was revoked due to the arrest, the task force said.

He was arraigned before Wood County Magistrate Brenda Marshall who set bond at $100,000 surety.

The task force is composed of investigators from the Parkersburg Police Department, Wood County Sheriff’s Department, Vienna Police Department, Williamstown Police Department and the West Virginia State Police.

Candice Black can be reached at cblack@newsandsentinel.com