Efforts by the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force and the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office have resulted in two suspects being taken into custody.
Frank C. Battaglia, 56, of Fredonia was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance on June 13.
According to a police report, Battaglia was served a local court arrest warrant when he appeared in the Village of Fredonia Court on unrelated charges. The arrest warrant charging Battaglia with the above charges had been obtained based on information from members of the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force. It is alleged by members of the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force that Battaglia has sold crack cocaine to undercover agents of the task force within the village of Fredonia.
Battaglia was arraigned and committed to the Chautauqua County Jail pending further action by the court. As a result of this investigation, additional charges are pending and the investigation is continuing.
Additionally, Ryan M. Falco, 28, of Brocton was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance on June 13.
Members of the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force and the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office located Falco after a warrant was issued following an indictment by a Chautauqua County grand jury. It is alleged that he sold quantities of pharmaceuticals to agents of the police at locations within the city of Dunkirk, and the investigation has been ongoing for several months.
Falco was committed to the Chautauqua County Jail pending arraignment.
Authorities ask that anyone with information regarding narcotics-related activities to please contact either the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force or the local police. The Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force can be contacted by calling the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office at 753-2131.