CLAVERACK – Columbia County Sheriff David P. Bartlett reports that two Columbia County men have been arrested and charged with felony possession of narcotic drugs in the Town of Claverack, Columbia County New York. These arrests are a result of a multi-agency joint drug investigation.
On Wednesday March 1st, 2017, Columbia County Sheriff’s Investigators and Deputies, Investigators from the New York State Police, and Investigators from the Capital District Drug Enforcement Task Force (D.E.A.) concluded a month long investigation by executing a Columbia County Superior Court search warrant, which was signed by the Honorable Justice Richard Koweek, at 219 Old Lane Extension, apartment 4, in the Town of Claverack.
Levar K. Young, age 38 of Claverack, was charged with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree with the intent to sell, all Class B Felonies, and one count of Criminal Possession of Marijuana in the Third Degree, a Class E Felony.
Also charged in this case was Roger L DeLease Jr. age 37 of Ancram, who was charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B Felony.
Both defendants were arraigned in Claverack Town Court by Judge Michael Cozzolino and remanded to the Columbia County Jail with no bail. They will both appear back in court at a later date.
Officers recovered over 71 grams of heroin, which amounts to about 2000 bags with an approximate street value of $10,650. Also recovered at the location was 38 grams of crack cocaine, over a pound of marijuana, and over $3,000 in cash.
“This was a significant operation that yielded quite a large quantity of drugs,” said Sheriff Bartlett. “We’re committed to doing whatever it takes to stem the tide of this drug epidemic, and these arrests are a direct result of that commitment of time and resources.”
The Sheriff praised the work of all involved in the multi-agency investigation and pledged that his department would continue to relentlessly target drug dealers, wherever they operate in Columbia County.
Also assisting with this investigation was K9 Trooper Eric Buchinsky and the Office of the Columbia County District Attorney.
