YPD sends up drone to combat Downtown drug activity

YOUNGSTOWN Drug dealers in Downtown Youngstown may be keeping an eye on the sky after police started using a drone to spot suspected drug activity.

After receiving a complaint about drug activity and other disturbances near Symphony Place and West Federal Street, an officer sent up a Youngstown Police Department drone on Tuesday to conduct surveillance around the nearby Western Reserve Transit Authority Bus Station.

During the drone surveillance, an officer reported spotting a man described as having dreadlocks and wearing a red t-shirt and black pants, handing what appeared to be drugs to another person. The officer said the man placed two clear plastic baggies into his right pants pocket.

Other officers approached the man, later identified as George Roberson, near Symphony Place and West Federal Street. After being informed about the drug complaints in the area, police say Roberson admitted to having drugs in his right pants pocket.

An officer says there were two clear plastic baggies containing what was suspected to be crack cocaine in Roberson's pocket. Roberson was arrested and taken to the Mahoning County Jail.

A field test conducted at the Youngstown Police Department's VICE office confirmed the substance was crack cocaine. Roberson faces a charge of possession of crack cocaine.

Police have used the drone to investigate drug activity before.

In February, YPD used a drone to keep an eye on two homes raided for drug activity. Five people were arrested.