COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A Columbus man accused of hauling drugs in hidden compartments inside a vehicle traveling from California to the Polaris Fashion Place has been found guilty by a federal jury.
According to court documents and trial testimony, Homeland Security Investigation agents in central Ohio were notified by agents in Albuquerque, New Mexico, that troopers with the New Mexico State Police pulled over a commercial car hauler in May 2024.
Among the vehicles hauled was one on its way to Polaris Fashion Place in Delaware County. State police discovered two hidden compartments inside the vehicle that contained 28 total kilograms of suspected drugs. Investigators determined that the drugs included 21 grams of methamphetamine and seven grams of cocaine.
Federal and local law enforcement arranged for a controlled substance delivery, in which the drugs were replaced with “sham narcotics,” to take place at the Polaris parking lot.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio said that Terrance Colvin, 39, of Columbus, arrived to retrieve the vehicle and drove it to his residence at the 801 Polaris apartment complex. Colvin parked the vehicle in a private garage and accessed the hidden compartments to transfer the drugs into a duffel bag.
Law enforcement officers apprehended Colvin and searched his apartment, where additional bulk amounts of methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine were confiscated. As well, police seized three loaded weapons.
Previously convicted for various narcotics and weapons-related charges, kidnapping, receiving stolen property, driving under the influence, obstruction of justice and disorderly conduct, Colvin is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
Colvin was indicted in June 2024 and after a year-long trial, he was found guilty on all six charges, including conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, one count each of attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, or fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
Colvin faces a minimum of 15 years in federal prison and up to a possible life sentence. His next court date has yet to be scheduled.
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