Lt. Michael Ferguson, who worked at Engine Nine in the Bond Hill neighborhood, was a key part of the illegal operation, authorities said.
"The firefighter played just as significant a role as the others," said Russ Neville, special agent in charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration office in Cincinnati. "He wasn't the leader, but he was in there with all the rest."
Federal drug agents broke up a marijuana distribution ring this week, making 12 arrests in Greater Cincinnati on Thursday and Friday. Maurice Ferguson, 36, who owns the 513 Store in Walnut Hills, was the leader of the ring. The store sells Hip Hop clothing.
Maurice Ferguson, who sources said is related to Michael Ferguson, was arrested Thursday in Florence, Ky., in a retail strip where he was looking into opening a similar store, said Neville. He said Cincinnati and Florence police joined DEA officers in making arrests.
The group received shipments of 1,500 to 3,000 pounds of marijuana a month from a supplier in Riverside, Calif. The bales of marijuana came by tractor-trailer and were divided among several "stash houses," Neville said.
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