(WNY News Now) – ASHFORD, N.Y. — Two Cattaraugus County men were arrested on felony drug charges following a traffic stop and investigation that led to the discovery of suspected cocaine, according to the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities report that the incident occurred on March 18, 2026, at approximately 7:47 p.m. in the Town of Ashford. A traffic stop conducted by the Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol and K9 unit, in coordination with the Ellicottville Police Department and the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force, resulted in the arrests of William J. Hebdon, 61, of East Otto, and Larry J. Kent, 61, of Ellicottville.
During the investigation, K9 Echo was deployed to conduct a sniff of the vehicle and alerted to the presence of narcotics. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of more than two ounces of suspected cocaine, authorities said.
Photo By Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office
Both Hebdon and Kent were charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a felony under New York State law.
Following their arrests, the suspects were arraigned in the Town of Ashford Court. Hebdon was remanded to the Cattaraugus County Jail, while Kent was released and is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.
The investigation was conducted with assistance from multiple agencies, including the Salamanca Police Department and the Olean Police Department, as part of the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force.
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