NEW BERLIN – Before dawn Wednesday, a joint police force stormed a two-story home in the Village of New Berlin and arrested seven people for drug-related charges, seizing cash, weapons, marijuana and heroin.
The investigation was initiated by the Town of New Berlin Police Department, which worked closely with the New York State Police Community Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET). The investigation and the early morning tactical raid also included assistance from the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Norwich Police Department.
Police served a “no-knock” search warrant at around 5:50 a.m., at 43 North Main St.
New Berlin officer-in-charge Sgt. Dominick Commesso said the residence had been a “previous location of interest” for police and Wednesday’s bust was the result of a six-month-long investigation.
Police charged seven people with a number of crimes, including two of them with felonies. All the defendants were arraigned in Town of New Berlin Court before Justice Joseph Brillinger and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility in lieu of cash bail.
• Adam Daring, 24, of 43 North Main St. and Courtney L. Champlin, 21, of New Berlin, were both charged with third and fifth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, class B and D felonies respectively. They were also charged with first-degree criminal nuisance a class D felony, fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon and unlawful growing of cannabis.
Daring was remanded on $5,000 cash bail and Champlin on $2,000 bail.
The remaining five were charged with misdemeanors and all were remanded to the county jail on bail amounts ranging from $1,000 to $500.
• Karl P. Becker, 22, and Amanda L. Singer, 20, both of Ronkonkoma, were charged with first-degree loitering and criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument;
• Justin M. Townsend, 22, for first-degree loitering and unlawful possession of marijuana;
• Keith E. Johnson, 18, of New Berlin, and Jayson VanValkenburg of Tennessee for first-degree loitering.
Commesso said when police entered the home, they discovered the defendants sleeping after a night of partying. He said the local police had received a number of complaints about the residence over the last year, often involving late hour traffic and noise.
Commesso said police found powdered heroin on a table, apparently left out from the night before and a marijuana “grow-room” in the basement. Police seized over a dozen fledgling marijuana plants. They also allegedly discovered 22 packets of heroin and 36 grams of hash, along with a number of pipes, bongs, syringes and other paraphernalia. Police seized nearly $1,000 worth of suspected drug cash from the home, he said. Police also allegedly removed several illegal knives and air pistols from the home.
Area law enforcement has been working closely together over the last few years, Commesso said, and yesterday’s incident demonstrates the level of cooperation between agencies.
“This was a very successfully executed operation– it took significant drugs off our community streets and was performed by the book. As much as it was a successful seizure, it was also a great example of what dedicated and cooperating law enforcement agencies can achieve when they work together,” said Commesso.
None of the neighborhood residents contacted by The Evening Sun were willing to be identified for publication, but two nearby residents admitted to calling police in regards to the raided home. They claimed the home saw an abnormal amount of foot traffic at late hours of the night and was often the site of loud parties.
Commesso said the investigation is continuing and more charges are expected in the case.