Detroit men arrested with hundreds of pills in Painesville

Months of investigation into drug trafficking led to the arrest of two Detroit men on Sept. 11 in Painesville.  Clarence J. Jackson, 22, and Mario J. Brown, 23, were taken into custody near the Seneca Grove Apartments following a short foot pursuit, said Lake County Narcotics Agency Director David Frisone in a news release.

Police allegedly recovered more than 800 doses of prescription drugs, including oxycodone and Xanax tablets, which have an estimated value of $15,000 to $20,000, Frisone said.

In addition to the narcotics agency, the Painesville Police Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio Highway Patrol participated in the joint investigation, Frisone said.

Brown was charged with second-degree felony aggravated possession of drugs and Jackson was charged with fifth-degree felony possession of drugs.

Bond for Brown was set at $10,000 with a 10 percent cash option, and Jackson’s bond was set at $100,000 with a 10 percent cash option. Neither were posted.

Lt. Brant Zemelka, commander of the Chardon Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol, said multiple law enforcement agencies took part in Operation Shield on Sept. 11 in the areas of Painesville city, Painesville Township and Fairport Harbor.

The operation focused on drug and alcohol enforcement. Zemelka said he was still gathering all of the information about the enforcement by each agency, but he believed the arrest of Jackson and Brown resulted in the day of enforcement’s largest recovery of drugs.

posted by The News-Herald