SHERIFF’S OFFICE ARRESTS THREE FOR ILLEGAL DRUG ACTIVITY
Chatham, NY- Columbia County Sheriff David P. Bartlett reports that on Saturday, October 19, 2019, two local individuals were arrested for their involvement in illegal drug activity after a search warrant was executed at their residence.
Charley Cintron Jr., 41, and Kimberly Hines, 49, both of Chatham , were both charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree with intent to sell (Both Class B Felonies).
On October 19, 2019 at approximately 8:04pm, members of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement and Education Unit and the New York State Police Violent Gangs and Narcotic Enforcement Team executed a search warrant, issued by Columbia County Judge Jonathan Nichols, at 34 Hudson Avenue in the Village of Chatham. Charley Cintron and Kimberly Hines, who were the subjects of an on-going drug investigation, were home at the time of the search warrant along with a 13 year old child.
Sheriff’s Investigators recovered drugs and money from the home. Approximately 25 grams of a controlled substance that field tested positive for the presence of heroin and fentanyl, over $2,000 in cash and items used in the sale and distribution of the drug such as scales and packaging material were seized. The drugs have a street value of approximately $3,700.00.
Cintron and Hines were both arraigned in the town of Stockport Court in front of the Honorable Judge Smalley. Hines was released on her own recognizance and Cintron was remanded to the Columbia County Jail without bail. Both are scheduled to return to Court on October 21, 2019 at 6:00 pm.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted in this investigation by Investigators from the New York State Police Livingston Barracks, Columbia County Probation Department and District Attorney Paul Czajka.
This arrest and search warrant came two days after another drug dealer was taken off the streets by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement and Education Unit.
On Thursday, October 17, 2019 the Sheriff’s Office arrested 63 tear old Carlos Santos for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with intent to sell (a Class B Felony).
Through the course of this investigation the Sheriff’s Office obtained a search warrant from Columbia County Judge Jonathan Nichols for Carlos Santos and a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV. That vehicle, belonging to Santos, was stopped by Sheriff’s Deputies and Investigators assigned to the DEEU on Route 9 and 23 in the town of Greenport. As a result of the search warrant 75 packets of a brownish powdery substance that later field tested positive for the narcotics heroin and fentanyl was recovered from the person of Santos.
Carlos Santos was arraigned in the town of Greenport Court in front of Judge John Porreca and was remanded to the Columbia County Jail without bail. He is scheduled to return to Court on October 21, 2019 at 2:45 pm.
The Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka and the NYSP Violent Gangs and Narcotics Enforcement Team also assisted with this investigation.
Sheriff David Bartlett stated that in light of the recent spike in drug overdoses in Columbia County the Sheriff’s Office will continue to aggressively investigate all reports of illegal drug dealing activity. The dangers that heroin, specifically when combined with the lethal drug fentanyl, poses to the community continues to be the top priority of the Investigators assigned to the Drug Enforcement and Education Unit.
District Attorney Paul Czajka said that he is very impressed, as always, with the cooperation among agencies and the quick response by the Sheriff’s Office, the New York State Police and the Sheriff’s Office Leadership.
Anyone with any information about illegal activity can contact the Sheriff’s Office tips line at 518-822-8477 and can remain anonymous.
Video of the police activity on Main Street in Chatham, contributed by a listener, thank you.