EAST SIDE Gang members face federal drug charges

The investigation began after a complaint landed in the chief's office.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Nineteen men -- members and associates of the FLA BOYZ and Sharon Line mob, two East Side gangs -- are indicted on federal drug charges.
The roundup began Thursday afternoon with six search warrants for houses on Oak Lane, Republic, Kenneth, Forestview and Seifert avenues and a car wash at 1230 McGuffey Road.
Cell phones alerted many of those being sought when FBI agents, task force members and city police officers converged on the East Side with search and arrest warrants.
Narcotics dogs from the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Boardman Police Department were used to search the houses and car wash.
The indictment charges conspiracy to distribute and distribution of crack cocaine.
A press conference was to be held this morning in city hall with a representative of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Cleveland and others.
Began last October
The investigation began last October after a complaint about drug activity landed on the desk of Police Chief Robert E. Bush Jr. People called and identified members of the gangs.
The Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force gang unit, made up of FBI agents and Youngstown police, made the case with more than 100 undercover drug buys and cooperating witnesses and informants. Also lending assistance was the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration and bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
meade@vindy.com