Crack discovered in Liverpool raid

Drugs and paraphernalia were found Thursday when the Columbiana County Drug Task Force (DTF) executed a search warrant on a house at 923 Vine St.

Although occupants Amanda Bragg and Anthony Williams were not home when officers converged on the house, Bragg walked up to the scene as officers were searching the home, demanding to know who they were and what they were doing.

After DTF Director Brian McLaughlin identified himself and advised that a search warrant for drugs was being executed, Bragg proclaimed, "There's no drugs in there. I don't allow drugs to be sold from my house."

She was advised by McLaughlin, however, that an "eightball of crack" had already been discovered by officers prior to her arrival.

Williams, also known as Ace, is already under indictment on drug charges, McLaughlin said, and Bragg acknowledged to officers as she sat on the porch and chatted with them that he has been sentenced to prison for two years.

Once the search was complete, McLaughlin reported that four to five grams of crack cocaine valued at about $400 had been found, along with paraphernalia.

He said charges are pending.

The search was the result of a five-month-long investigation, according to McLaughlin.

The city police department also assisted in Thursday's operation.

The rental property is owned by Aaron Stevens, 1201 Fairmont St., and was the subject of a search by the drug task force in the recent past.

"It's becoming the new 414 Ogden St.," McLaughlin said, referring to another house in the city which at one point was closed down by officials as a nuisance due to drug-related activities and which has, since being sold to new owners, been the subject of other search warrants.