Boardman police find fake crack in Market Street motel room

Staff report

BOARDMAN

An Austintown woman faces charges after police reported finding drug-related items in a Market Street motel room, where they said they found the woman hiding under a mattress.

According to a police report, a man tipped police that Christal Frye, 35, of Nottingham Avenue, was staying at the Boardman Inn and that they would find evidence of drugs there.

After receiving consent to search the room Tuesday, police went to the room and reported finding used needles near the bathroom sink.

An officer then lifted the mattress on the bed, where Frye was found hiding between the mattress and the frame, according to the report.

Frye told police that an unknown white substance found in the room was “fake crack,” police said. A field test of the substance was negative for cocaine, according to the report.

Police said the substance also was tested for fentanyl, a synthetic opiate, but the test was negative. It did not test positive for any illicit substance, but will be sent to a lab for further testing, police said.

Police also reported finding burnt spoons with suspected drug residue in Frye’s purse.

She is charged with possessing drug-abuse instruments, a drug paraphernalia offense and obstructing official business, according to court records.