HANOVER, N.Y. -- The Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force and Chautauqua County Swat team have arrested three people from Silver Creek and three from Forestville on drug charges.
They have been identified as 22-year-old Adam Mox, of Silver Creek, 21-year-old Nicholas Shambo, of Forestville, 22-year-old Joy Sprague, of Forestville, 23-year-old James Hurley, of Silver Creek, 21-year-old Amber Roush, of Forestville and 22-year-old Mikayla Miller, of Silver Creek.
Investigators say it happened in Hanover, where they found 21 grams of uncut fentanyl, cocaine, a rifle, suboxone, drug paraphernalia, a large amount of cash and packaging material. Chautauqua County Sheriff Joe Gerace says investigators are now looking into whether the unique packing found during the arrests can be traced to the drugs used in two recent fatal overdoses. He says if a connection is made, further charges are likely.
Prosecutors say holding the alleged dealers accountable for two fatal overdoses is hard to prove, as all six are currently only charged with possession. Chautauqua County District Attorney Patrick Swanson says even if he were able to prove it, the law states the penalty for a drug possession charge is more serious than the reckless homicide or manslaughter charge to sell the drug that lead to a fatal overdose.
All six are in the Chautauqua County Jail.