Police conduct drug raids, issue apology

YOUNGSTOWN — Police conducted two drug raids this week and have issued an apology to a family caught up in one of them.

Lt. David McKnight said Friday that a three-apartment building was raided around 6:35 p.m. Thursday in the 1200 block of Salt Springs Road.

Jabbar D. Spires, 32, who gave an address on Catalina Avenue in addition to the Salt Springs Road address, was charged with possession of cocaine, having weapons while under a disability and possessing drug paraphernalia.

Lt. McKnight said that during a raid, one group of officers goes into the building while others surround the property to catch criminals who may try to flee.

At the raid, a husband, wife, and at least one child who lived in a different apartment went out the back door after police entered the building. They were checked by police behind the building and were released. Lt. McKnight said they were in custody for about 10 minutes.

McKight said he has offered an apology and will talk to the family.

He said he has not met with them directly since he and other officers conducted another raid around 3 p.m. Friday at a home on South Dunlap Avenue. Seven large marijuana plants valued at about $1,000 each were seized. Charges are pending against the purported grower.