Drugs seized in raid

A Tuesday afternoon police raid at a North Market Street apartment resulted in the seizure of an estimated $2,000 worth of drugs and the arrest of one suspect.

Richard Lowe, 32, of Cleveland, was charged with tampering with evidence after he reportedly tried to flush some drugs down the toilet, according to Columbiana County Drug Task Force Director Brian McLaughlin.

Armed with a search warrant, the DTF, assisted by Lisbon police, went to the apartment of Jermaine Lewis at 845 N. Market St. about 2 p.m. and found Lewis and Lowe there.

McLaughlin said as they entered Lowe ran to the bathroom, where he tried to dispose of some suspected heroin and crack cocaine. "He got the stuff in the toilet but he couldn't get it flushed," McLaughlin said.

The raid resulted in the seizure of 12.5 grams of crack cocaine, three grams of heroin, 28 grams of marijuana and over $1,000 in cash. The drugs have a street value in excess of $2,000.

In addition to being charged with tampering with evidence for allegedly trying to flush drugs down the toilet, Lowe was served with a secret indictment issued by the county grand jury charging him with two counts of trafficking in drugs.

McLaughlin said additional charges are likely to be filed against Lowe as a result of the raid, pending lab tests on the suspected drugs, and charges are also expected to be filed against Lewis.

Posted by morningjournalnews.com