Drug bust in Delhi nets coke

By Mark Boshnack
Staff Writer

November 27, 2007 07:35 am

—

DELHI _ Nearly 2 pounds of powdered cocaine was seized during the early morning execution of a search warrant at a dorm room at the State University College of Technology at Delhi, Delaware County deputies said Monday.

The street value of the drugs was about $50,000 and could have provided more than 1,000 doses, officials said.

Two second-year students, with no known prior convictions, were arrested as the result of a six-week long investigation that led to the seizure, deputies said.

Jonathan C. Molina, 19, of the Bronx, majoring in computer information systems, was charged with first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class A-1 felony that carries a maximum sentence of 25 years to life, deputies said.

Daniel R. Thorington, 21, of Scotia, a culinary arts student, was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony, deputies said. The maximum sentence with no prior convictions is 8 1/3 to 25 years.

The two were suspended immediately, pending a college hearing, said SUNY Delhi University Police Chief Perri DeFreece.

The search warrant was executed by the Delaware County Drug Enforcement Unit, which was comprised of deputies, Delhi police and University and Department of Environmental Protection police, as well as state police Community Narcotics team members, according to a release.

Many of those departments were represented at a news conference at the sheriff's office Monday afternoon.

In describing the size of the seizure, Undersheriff Douglas Vredenburgh said, "This is the most I've seen in Delaware County" during his nine years with the agency.

Molina was arrested on a more serious charge because he was connected by evidence, including a statement, with the entire shipment, while his roommate was linked to a portion less than 8 ounces, Vredenburgh said.

The search occurred on Monday because information was obtained during the investigation that "a large amount of product would be in the possession of those arrested," he said. He would only say that the investigation stemmed from information provided by a confidential source outside the campus.

The two men arrested had just returned to campus from the Thanksgiving vacation, DeFreece said.

There were no weapons found, Vredenburgh said.

About half of the cocaine was probably destined for use by campus students with the remainder being distributed in the Delaware County area to a customer base that ranged from high-school to middle age, Vredenburgh said.

"They would sell to anyone" they were comfortable with and who had the money, he said.

Seizing this amount shows the availability of the drug in the community, said Sheriff Tom Mills.

The cost of a dose ranges from $40 to $100, depending on several variables including quality, said Acting Delhi Police Chief Michael Mills, who is the sheriff's son.

The seized drugs will be tested at the state police lab in Port Crane to determine the exact weight and purity, Vredenburgh said. About a dozen pills seized in the search will also be tested and more charges could be filed.

The campus does not have a particular drug problem, he said. Every community in Delaware County and society in general is dealing with the issue, he said.

The investigation is continuing and will seek information that could lead to the seizure of assets of those arrested, the location of processing equipment and the supplier, Vredenburgh said.

The two men were being held on $100,000 bail at the Delaware County jail. They were arraigned in Delhi Town Court on Monday and are scheduled to appear Friday for further proceedings, deputies said.

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.