FREWSBURG - A Frewsburg couple is in custody after a more-than six-month investigation into the sale of marijuana.
The Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force says William N. Kamholtz, 57, and Susan K. Kamholtz, 53, both of 1430 Riverside Road, Frewsburg, have been charged with second-degree criminal possession of marijuana after officers concluded a search of their residence on Sept. 25.
Sgt. Jim Rensel of the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force said that the marijuana, being sold at more than $1,200 per pound, could have fetched approximately $9,000 on the street.
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Susan Kamholtz
During the search, officers located more than 7 pounds of marijuana packaged for sale, a marijuana drying shed, numerous marijuana paraphernalia and growing equipment, and several firearms. William Kamholtz had previously been taken into custody by the U.S. Forest Service in McKean County, Pa. for growing marijuana on federal land and is being held in McKean County.
Officials believe William Kamholtz and James P. Leach of 10860 Hotchkiss Road, Randolph, were working in concert with each other, growing marijuana in Pennsylvania and bringing it back to New York for distribution. Leach was taken into custody last weekend by Cattaraugus County Sheriff's deputies after they found 23 pounds of marijuana in his home.
On Oct. 5, after further investigation, Susan Kamholtz was taken into custody at 6:15 p.m. by the Town of Carroll Police Department.
Also during the investigation, many of the Kamholtzes' associates were identified. The investigation is ongoing and more charges are expected to be filed.
A detainer warrant was filed for William Kamholtz by the Town of Carroll Police Department for the above charges upon his release from McKean County Jail.
Susan Kamholtz is being held in Chautauqua County Jail in lieu of $20,000 cash/$40,000 property bond and they will both appear in Town of Carroll Court at a later date.