Raid on city business results in drug, gambling charges

By Jon Moffett

Drug trafficking and gambling were ‘steady and often,’ the commander said.

YOUNGSTOWN — Two men were arrested, and charges are pending on multiple others after the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force raided a city business on suspicion of drug trafficking and gambling offenses.

The task force arrived at the Riverbend Tavern at 1105 Poland Ave. shortly before 6 p.m. Thursday and confiscated drugs and video-gambling machines from the business, said Lt. Robin Lees, task force commander.

Tavern operators Larry Meenachan, 58, of Struthers, and John Messer, 59, of Austintown, were arrested on gambling offenses, Lees said.

Two other people were arrested on drug offenses and released, and two more have felony drug-offense charges pending, Lees said.

The identities of the other four individuals were not available.

“This is the result of about a six-month investigation by the task force centered around drug trafficking out of the tavern,” Lees said.

The operation spread into outlying suburban areas, he said, adding, “A Poland Township detective was able to follow the trail into the city here.”

Lees said the investigation is a joint effort between the task force and the Ohio Investigative Unit, a branch of the Ohio Department of Public Safety.

An unspecified amount of marijuana, cocaine and prescription drugs were confiscated by the task force, Lees said. Additionally, four or five video-gambling machines were taken.

The machines were in plain sight within the establishment, Lees said, and the activity was a small but constant operation.

“It was not a great deal, but the problem was it was steady and it was often here,” Lees said. “We believe the operators were involved, and this investigation continues.”

Undercover officers made drug purchases and secured payouts from the machines, Lees said.

Lees was unable to give a monetary value for the suspected gambling operation but said, “Obviously it was profitable because they continued to do it. The agents came in and established themselves in a short amount of time and were able to get payoffs.”

A sign outside the building reads: “Riverbend Tavern, the poorman’s [sic] country club.”

Lees said Youngstown Prosecutor Jay Macejko issued an abatement order, and the building was boarded up.

jmoffett@vindy.com