Who hid them? Seven packages of suspected drugs found in ceiling of Youngstown building

YOUNGSTOWN  A routine maintenance check at a Downtown Youngstown building turned up seven packages of what police suspect are illegal narcotics hidden in a drop ceiling.

The drugs were found on Wednesday afternoon in the building on East Federal Street when a maintenance worker for Chase Bank discovered several cellophane-wrapped packages as he was changing air filters in the mezzanine. A police report redacted the street address of the building.

The worker retrieved one package, unwrapped it, and, believing it to be narcotics, called the police.

Although the white, pressed, crystal-like substance field-tested negative for drugs, police say a drug-sniffing K9 gave officers a positive indication that the package contained narcotics.

Officers were then led to a hallway where an additional six packages were found in a drop ceiling near a maintenance closet. All seven packages were taken to the YPD Vice Unit.

The building’s general manager told police the last time anyone was on the mezzanine was one or two months ago.

The police report did not specify the total weight of the seized substances or what they are suspected of being. The investigation is ongoing.