Sobriety checkpoints results in arrest on drug charges

Staff report

BOARDMAN

A Youngstown man faces drug and weapons charges after he was stopped Friday night at a sobriety checkpoint on Market Street.

Jermaine Phipps, 20, of Chalmers Avenue, is charged with aggravated trafficking in marijuana and carrying a concealed weapon without a permit, and was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia after police reportedly found 12 individually packaged bags of suspected marijuana and brass knuckles, among other items, in his vehicle.

Police also seized $700 in cash that they found in his possession.

Also arrested during operation of the checkpoint was Francisco Vazquez, 30, of Melbourne Avenue.

Vazquez faces charges involving operating a vehicle while impaired and driving without a license.

Police also notified U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement about Vazquez, who was born in Mexico, based on evidence he might be living here illegally.

He reportedly provided police with a fraudulent identification card.

Both suspects are scheduled to appear today in Mahoning County Area Court here.