RANDOLPH – The Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force of Olean will be pursuing Federal charges against three people charged in connection with a bust Wednesday evening at 128 Main St. Front Apt. that resulted in the seizure of one-and-a-half pounds of methamphetamine.
Cattaraugus County Road Patrol Captain Shawn Gregory told WNYNewsNow Friday morning that he learned of the news on Thursday. According to the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force, Mark Maio, 34, and Brittany Dellahoy, 28, both of the above address, are charged with first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
In addition, Brandon Smith, 32, of 107 Wescott St., Jamestown, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell.
Gregory, during a phone interview, said that the bust was very significant considering the size of the seizure.
“It was definitely a significant arrest for our agency and our Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force,” Gregory said. “We worked jointly with the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force to collaborate with information on the individuals that they were former Jamestown natives.”
Jamestown Police Chief Harry Snellings, when reached by phone Friday, said that the most significant part of the arrest was the defendants’ alleged involvement in methamphetamine distribution throughout the region, as a whole.
“The bigger picture is that these individuals were (allegedly) directly involved in the distribution of methamphetamine in our area,” Snellings said. “Not just here (in Jamestown), but also down in Cattaraugus County.”
When asked if Randolph often sees methamphetamine busts, Gregory said that the village doesn’t. Gregory said that dealers realize they’d have a difficult time operating in smaller towns.
“From a law enforcement standpoint, people who are dumb enough to come to small towns and rural counties to do their drug business, just paint an easy target on their back,” Gregory said. “They’re small towns, and everyone knows everyone. When something doesn’t look right, it’s probably not right.”
“It’s something that’s brought to our attention relatively quickly. In this case, it was brought quickly, we acted quickly and it resulted in a great arrest.”
WNYNewsNow asked both Snellings and Gregory what some of the common drug trends they are seeing in their jurisdictions. Both said that they’ve observed a rise in meth usage and arrests over the past few years. Gregory added that Cattaraugus County has seen a decrease in heroin arrests and overdoses.
Gregory urged residents to share information with law enforcement so that the community can be a safe place to live.
“If you want to make your community a better and safer place, share information with law enforcement,” Gregory said. “People want to complain about the problem, often, but they don’t want to step up and do anything about it.”
“Without doing that, it’s really hard for law enforcement to effectively fight the good fight.”
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