Two Jamestown residents have been taken into custody after drug investigators from the Jamestown Police Department found several thousand dollars' worth of drugs at a James Avenue home on Monday morning.
Julie A. Carlson, 50, and Keith Carlson, 54, both of Jamestown were both charged with second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and fourth-degree criminal possession of marijuana at 7:30 a.m. Monday.
Second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance is an A-II felony in New York state. If convicted of the charges as first-time offenders, the subjects could be sentenced a minimum of three years and a maximum of 10 years in a correctional facility.
Article Photos
A Jamestown Police Department bust at 413 James Ave. netted $18,000 cash and close to $15,000 worth of cocaine Monday.
P-J photo by Ryan Atkins
A subject convicted of a class A-II felony can also be sentenced to lifetime post-release probation.
The subjects are currently being held at the Jamestown City Jail pending arraignment. After they are arraigned, they will be remanded to the Chautauqua County Jail.
Drug investigators were issued a search warrant for a residence located at 413 James Ave. after they received tips from concerned citizens and an investigation revealed that narcotics sales were taking place at the residence.
"This is one of the largest busts that I have ever seen," said JPD Capt. Bob Samuelson.
The search resulted in $18,000 cash; three ounces of uncut, powdered cocaine; 112 grams of marijuana; a variety of prescription drugs; and drug-related paraphernalia being seized. The street value for the cocaine is estimated to be close to $15,000.
According to Harry Snellings, chief of the JPD, tips from the public were instrumental in the search that was executed Monday morning.
"These people weren't your typical dealers, and it wasn't in a neighborhood that would normally be associated with this type of activity," said Snellings. "People need to understand that we actively pursue any tips that come through the department."
Snellings also pointed out that the cash that is seized in operations such as this will be re-circulated into the drug investigation program and used to fund investigations and purchase new equipment for the police department.
The Jamestown Police Department is still actively seeking tips on any drug-related crimes. If anyone has information regarding any crime or illegal sales of narcotics they are asked to report it to the Jamestown Police Department's TIPS line by calling 483-8477 or through the link on the JPD Facebook page, www.facebook.com/jamestownpolicedepartment. All tips will be kept strictly confidential.