Man facing drug trafficking, weapons charges after Canfield traffic stop

CANFIELD, Ohio (WKBN) – Police said a Bedford Heights man was found with drugs and a stolen firearm during a traffic stop in Canfield.

Just before 8 p.m. Tuesday, an officer pulled over a vehicle in the area of E. Main Street and Elizabeth Place because the officer couldn’t see the vehicle’s registration. The officer noted in a report that the driver, identified as 50-year-old Charles Lanier, said he had been going to a hardware store but was vague about what he was going to get there.

The officer reported that the vehicle smelled like marijuana, and a mask was sitting on the passenger side seat.

According to the police report, Lanier admitted that there was a jar of “reefer” in the center console and that he had just smoked.

Police said Lanier was found with $2,692 in cash, and a search of the vehicle uncovered the marijuana, a digital scale with white powder on it, four cell phones, a stolen handgun that was loaded, a loaded AR-15 rifle, an additional magazine for the rifle, approximately 34 grams of cocaine and about 9 grams of heroin.

Police noted that Lanier had past felony drug and weapons convictions and had a protection order against him.

They arrested him on charges of possession of cocaine and heroin, trafficking in cocaine and heroin, improper handling of a firearm, having weapons under disability, receiving stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia and obstructing registration.

Police seized the cash and phones as evidence and took Lanier to the Mahoning County Jail.

He appeared in court Friday for his arraignment and is scheduled to appear in court again for a preliminary hearing at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

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