Narcotics Investigations in Western Orange County Result in Six Arrests
The arrests took place in Port Jervis city and Deerpark town. During the execution of court-approved search warrants, authorities seized illegal substances including cocaine and fentanyl, along with tools used for measuring and packaging drugs, and two firearms that were possessed unlawfully.
Jerry McBee, a resident of the property, was arrested and faced three charges related to the criminal possession of a controlled substance and the criminal use of drug paraphernalia.
In the early hours of April 1, Port Jervis police conducted a search at a residence on Ball Street, uncovering two digital scales with white, powdery substances in a bedroom shared by two individuals, Joshua Conklin and Christina Bohm.
Subsequently, two hours later, when police executed a search warrant at a house on Delaware Drive in Sparrow Bush, they discovered 25 grams of cocaine and 19 glassine envelopes filled with fentanyl in a room occupied by Conklin, Bohm, and Jody Etchie.
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All three individuals were arrested on the same day and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree and criminal use of drug paraphernalia in the second degree.
Herbert Kanoff, the owner of the Ball Street property, was accused of knowingly permitting his residence to be utilized for illegal drug sales and use, as well as receiving crack cocaine for personal consumption in exchange. He faces a charge of criminal nuisance.
Jeffrey Libby, the sixth defendant, was charged with felony criminal possession of a weapon in the second and third degrees in addition to drug-related offenses.
The investigations were conducted by the Port Jervis police with help from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, Deerpark police, Middletown police, the county sheriff’s office, the Pike County District Attorney’s Office, and the Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center.
“Drug dealers must realize that their illegal operations are unwelcome in Orange County,” stated Hoovler. “Through collaboration and cooperation among law enforcement agencies and my office, we can disrupt these narcotics networks in our communities.”
Port Jervis police chief William Worden remarked, “There is a well-documented connection between drug trafficking, illegal firearms, and violence. We will tirelessly pursue those engaged in drug trafficking.”
Deerpark police chief Richard Sztyndor added, “The sale of illegal narcotics impacts every neighborhood, and the Town of Deerpark is no exception. We will persist in our quest for justice against those responsible for the harm caused throughout Orange County.”
The cases mentioned are being prosecuted by assistant district attorneys Alexis Gregory and Amanda Arroyo.
