Large quantity of drugs found in Liverpool homes

EAST LIVERPOOL - Drugs with a street value of nearly $20,000 were found in two East End homes Monday afternoon during execution of search warrants by police agencies.

The Columbiana County Drug Task Force (DTF), Special Response Team (SRT) and city police officers converged on homes at 1057 St. George St. and 1054 Railroad St.t, which have shared back yards, according to Detective Lt. Brian McLaughlin, DTF director.

No one was home at the St. George Street location, which is owned by John Lockett, according to McLaughlin, who said the Railroad Street home is vacant.

According to the county auditor's website, the Railroad Street property is owned by George and/or Terri Stoffel.

Although no humans were inside, the county dog warden came and retrieved six dogs from inside Lockett's home, McLaughlin reported.

Officers also reported finding more than 180 grams of crack cocaine and 26 grams of marijuana, the majority from the Railroad Street location.

McLaughlin estimated the street value of the drugs at $18,500, and, combined with digital scales and mixing bowls with crack remnants, he confirmed that people at this location were "definitely capable of dealing at wholesale levels."

Although no weapons were found, McLaughlin said there were empty gun cases and magazines found.

Charges are pending in the case, pending outcome of lab testing.

Published by morningjournalnews.com