Boardman police nab Youngtown man on drug charges

BOARDMAN — A Youngstown man was arrested on drug charges and a charge of tampering with evidence during a traffic stop on Shields Road early this morning.

Charged is Butler Johnson V, 25, of Neilson Avenue.

According to a police report, an officer pulled Johnson over about 1:15 a.m. because the officer saw Johnson's vehicle stop in between the curb and passing lanes.

After smelling marijuana and observing a "large amount of U.S. currency" sticking out of Johnson's wallet, the officer searched the vehicle, according to the report.

The officer reported finding cash, an empty pack of prescription opioids, two cell phones, and pieces of plastic bags "commonly used to package narcotics."

Then, the officer reported finding "several white rocks and powder" where Johnson had been sitting in the police cruiser. The officer suspected it to be cocaine. He also noted that Johnson had "residue of the white powder around his lips."

A field test confirmed that the white rock found in the cruiser was cocaine, according to the report.

Police also reported finding a pill in Johnson's pocket that was found to be a prescription opioid painkiller.

Johnson was taken to the Mahoning County jail.