By John Ball, Madison County Undersheriff
(Wampsville, NY – Oct. 1, 2015) Acting on information that originated from a marijuana eradication flight being conducted in Oneida County, Madison County Narcotics Investigators seized an illegal marijuana grow in an agricultural field near the Madison County, village of Wampsville.
Oneida County Sheriff’s Office members were flying back to their landing site and flew over the field, observing the plants.
Investigators seized 248 marijuana plants as a result. If the plants were harvested, dried and sold, the estimated street value would have been in excess of $100,000.
Madison County Sheriff Allen Riley asks all area residents if they believe there is drug activity taking place or have a tip to offer, to contact the Sheriff’s Confidential Tip Line at (315) 366-2429, or by visiting the Sheriff’s Office website at: www.madisoncounty.ny.gov/Sheriff and click on “Report a Crime/Drug Tip.”
All information submitted is confidential and will be acted on.
State Police Arrest Utica Man after one-year joint Investigation
(Herkimer, Utica, NY – Sept. 30, 2015) A one year joint investigation by the New York State Police Special Investigations Unit in Utica, the Herkimer Police Department, the Herkimer County Sheriff’s Office, Herkimer County Department of Social Services, and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance resulted in the arrest of one subject, following the execution of searches in the Village of Herkimer and the City of Utica.
Seized as a result of these searches were over (100) cartons of untaxed cigarettes, (80) packs of cigarettes containing forged New York State tax stamps, several cartons of suspected untaxed bulk tobacco and cigars, and a small amount of U.S. currency.
Search warrants were executed at Sam’s Deli and Market, 275 N. Main Street, Herkimer. Several cartons of untaxed cigarettes, several packs of cigarettes with forged tax stamps, and approximately $2,500 in U.S. currency was seized.
A subsequent search of the residence located at 709 Tilden Ave., resulted in the seizure of approximately (100) cartons of untaxed cigarettes, several packs of cigarettes with forged tax stamps, and several cases of suspected untaxed bulk tobacco and cigars.
Faysil M. Ali, 54, of 709 Tilden Ave, Utica, was taken into custody at the store in Herkimer and later charged with one count of second-degree Forgery (D- Felony), fifth-degree Criminal Tax Fraud (Class A- Misdemeanor), and Possession or Transport or Sale of Unstamped or Unlawfully Stamped Cigarettes, (Class A- Misdemeanor).
Ali was arraigned in the town of German Flats Court and remanded to Herkimer County Jail in lieu of $4,000 cash or $15,000 bail bond.
He is scheduled to appear in the Village of Herkimer Court on Oct. 7 at 4 p.m.
This investigation is ongoing, and additional charges in Oneida County are anticipated. Any information or questions regarding this case should be directed to Investigator Alfonse Nitti of the New York State Police Special Investigations Unit in Utica at (315) 793-2531.