OVI checkpoint: Arrests, warrants, surprises life of task force members

BOARDMAN — Scott Weamer, Canfield’s assistant police chief, could smell marijuana, but he could not find it in the man’s car.

The man was diverted into the Sparkle Market parking lot, 4121 South Ave., after driving through the first of two checkpoints operated Friday night by the Mahoning County Operating a Vehicle while Impaired Task Force.

They later discovered the man had a piece of paper folded up many times with what is called marijuana wax. It looks like ear wax, but is extracted THC from a marijuana plant and is highly potent.

“He admitted that was what it was,” said Boardman Police Sgt. John Allsopp.

The man received a minor misdemeanor for drug abuse and drove away from the checkpoint. The wax was taken as evidence. Allsopp added that wax product is “very rare to see” and “it’s unique to our area ... it’s the strongest form of marijuana.”

A Vindicator reporter and photographer observed the OVI checkpoint late Friday and early Saturday.

For the complete story, read Sunday's Vindicator and Vindy.com