Jamestown man arrested, charged with drug possession

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Craig Vanhook, 34, of Jamestown, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,00,000 fine. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on April 4, 2024, a Jamestown Police officer observed Vanhook on Allen Street. The officer had prior knowledge that Vanhook had an outstanding warrant out of Lakewood Busti, NY. Vanhook was taken into custody and  arrested. At the time of his arrest, officers seized a large clear baggie containing approximately 24 grams of a crystal-like substance, which tested positive for methamphetamine, a switchblade knife, a black digital scale with white residue, and $363 from Vanhook. Officers also searched Vanhook’s backpack and discovered multiple glassine envelopes, as well as bags with white substances, brown substances, green substances, and rock like substances, which tested positive for methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine. In total, Vanhook possessed approximately 40 grams of methamphetamine, 18.5 grams of fentanyl, and 21 grams of cocaine and crack cocaine. 

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarentino, New York Field Division.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  

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