DTF comes calling, two arrested in Liverpool

Two people were taken into custody and a cache of drugs confiscated after the county Drug Task Force and city police executed a search warrant Thursday morning at 1915 Smithfield St.

As officers forced entry into one side of the duplex home, screaming for everyone to get down, Marcus "Free" Copeland, 29, Elyria, and James D. Jolly, 25, Amsterdam, reportedly began running through the house from task force officers.

Copeland tried to run from the house through the man door in the basement and was stopped when city Detective John Headley deployed his Taser.

Copeland had outstanding warrants for possession of marijuana and driving under suspension, for which he was scheduled to appear today in East Liverpool Municipal Court. He was additionally charged by city police with obstructing official business.

Jolly also had an outstanding warrant for driving under suspension and was additionally charged by city police with obstructing official business.

Both were removed from the home in handcuffs, with Copeland screaming repeatedly the entire way to the cruiser, "I love you," to a woman inside. She was later brought in handcuffs to the cruiser to speak with Copeland but was not arrested.

The woman, who was not identified by police, is reportedly the tenant of the rental home, which is owned by the Columbiana Metropolitan Housing Authority, according to information from the county auditor's web site.

According to task force Director Brian McLaughlin, the search warrant resulted in the discovery of 18 grams of cocaine, 10 grams of crack cocaine, 12 grams of heroin, 15 grams of marijuana, two handguns and more than $600 in cash.

McLaughlin said the drugs have a street value of more than $5,000.

Additional charges are pending as the investigation continues.

Also assisting in the search of the home was St. Clair Township K-9 officers Chris Davis and Axel.

Jolly appeared in East Liverpool Municipal Court Thursday, where she was fined $75 for the driving under suspension charge, with a second arraignment set for March 18 on the obstructing charge. Cash/surety bond was set at $7,500.

Copeland did not appear in court Thursday on his charges.

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