2 men arrested on drug charges

staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — Members of the Streets Crimes Unit on foot patrol through the Westlake housing projects interrupted a drug transaction and made two arrests, reports show.

The officers arrested Jesse J. Hackett, 23, of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on charges of drug trafficking, possession of drug paraphernalia (scale) and possession of marijuana. Robert A. Clark, 36, of Salem-Warren Road, North Jackson, who police said was at Hackett’s rear door with money to buy crack, was also charged with trafficking. Clark was also served with two outstanding warrants, one from Mahoning County (theft, Boardman) and one from Trumbull County (unspecified charge).

The arrests were made around 8 p.m. Saturday after a search of the apartment by Helo, a police dog.

Police found a small bag of crack cocaine on the microwave, directly beside the rear door, and a digital scale on top of the refrigerator. Hackett handed over a small bag of marijuana, reports show.

Hackett and Clark were expected to be arraigned today in municipal court.