Police in New York took four men into custody on May 27 in connection with an ongoing narcotics investigation in Clinton County. The arrests were made during the execution of a search warrant in Plattsburgh. The Plattsburgh Police Department’s Narcotics Enforcement Unit was assisted during the operation by New York State Police Troopers and officers, agents and deputies assigned to the Adirondack Drug Task Force. The ADTF is a multi-agency initiative involving the PPD, NYSP, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Border Patrol and the Essex and Clinton County Sheriff’s Departments.
Heroin, cocaine and cash seized
The search warrant was executed at a residence on Catherine Street. The search is said to have led to the discovery and seizure of 460 bags containing a substance believed to be heroin, 31 grams of a substance believed to be crack cocaine, 250 pills believed to be ecstasy and about $6,300 in U.S. currency. Police say the seized drugs would have been sold for about $15,000 on the street.
Two men face felony drug possession charges
Two New York City men face felony narcotics possession charges in connection with the drugs. One of them was ordered held at the Clinton County Jail because he is wanted in Texas for a felony drug offense. The other man was released on his own recognizance. Two Plattsburgh men were charged with less serious offenses and issued appearance tickets. The arraignment hearings were held using video conferencing equipment due to ongoing restrictions put into place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Challenging the validity of search warrants
Items discovered by police are not always admissible in court even if a judge issued a search warrant. Warrants to search are issued only when police are able to establish probable cause, and judges often place restrictions on the evidence officers may search for and where they may look for it. If you face drug charges in connection with a police search, an experienced criminal defense attorney could seek to have the dismissed if the probable cause supporting the warrant appears questionable or the officers involved ignored restrictions imposed by the issuing judge.