Town of New Hartford NEW YORK

Oneida County

Drug Enforcement Task Force

115 Woodlawn Avenue, Utica, New York 13502

(315) 738-7998   Fax: (315) 738-1481

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February 5, 2009

Search Warrants Result in Seizure of Drugs and US Currency

The Oneida County Drug Task Force concluded two separate investigations into the sale and distribution of the narcotic drug Heroin from persons and locations in and around the City of Utica.

Search warrants were executed at two separate locations which resulted in the seizure of quantities of Heroin and US Currency, and the arrest of the individuals responsible for the sales of the same.

Investigators, assisted by members of the Utica and New Hartford Police Department’s Emergency Response Teams executed a No Knock Search Warrant at the 1st and 2nd floor apartments at 1101 Neilson St.  As a result of the search, 140 bags of Heroin packaged for sale and 11 grams of unpackaged Heroin, scales, packaging materials, $450.00 in cash and a metal knuckle knife were seized.

• Michael Hunter, 10-11-73, 1101 Neilson St 2nd fl was charged with:
• 2 counts Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree – Class B Felonies.
• 2 counts Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd degree – Class A Misdemeanors.
• Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance 7th degree – Class A Misdemeanor.
• Bessie Watkins, 12-02-82, 1101 Neilson St 1st fl was charged with:
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th degree – Class A Misdemeanor.
• Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance 7th degree – Class A Misdemeanor.
• Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd degree – Class A Misdemeanor.

In the second execution, Investigators executed a No Knock Search Warrant at 917 Churchill Ave 1st fl rear apt.  As a result of the search 180 bags of Heroin packaged for sale, 13 grams of unpacked Heroin, 1.6 grams of powder cocaine, 3.4 grams of Crack Cocaine, scales, packaging materials and over $1800.00 in cash were seized.

• Brian Conway, 04-23-72, 917 Churchill Ave was charged with:
• 3 counts Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree – class B Felonies.
• 2 counts Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th degree – Class A Misdemeanors.
• 2 counts Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd degree – Class A Misdemeanors.
• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 4th degree – Class C Felony.

Conway was also charged with 2 counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance – Class B Felonies.  Both sale charges were the result of undercover operations conducted prior to the search warrant execution.

The Oneida County District Attorney’s Office K-9 unit assisted in both executions.

Lt Nicholas LoConte

Oneida County Drug Task Force

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