Seven Chester residents arrested in multi-county drug bust

The New York State Police recently announced the arrest of seven people from Chester and two people from Warwick in connection with a monthslong narcotics investigation.

According to the police report, the Chester residents involved included James Baltimore, 36, who was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the second degree; Antonio Bucci, 28, who was charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the first degree and conspiracy in the second degree; Christopher Bucci, 58, who was charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree; Michael Curtis, 32, who was charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree; Jennifer Curtis, 31, who was charged with conspiracy in the fourth degree; Klerisa Peterson, 30, who was charged with conspiracy in the fourth degree; and Justin Peterson, 29, who was also charged with conspiracy in the fourth degree.

The Warwick residents — 62-year-old Anthony Bucci Jr. and 31-year-old David Rinaldi — were both charged with conspiracy in the fourth degree as well.

Police also arrested several other suspects from the Bronx (Tyler Zaborski, Lester Zaborski, Marcus Hicks, and Dominick Deluccia) and one person from Mamakating (Markaj Narkaj) in Sullivan County.

On December 7, following a narcotics investigation that lasted two and a half months, New York State Police executed 11 search warrants at residences in both the Bronx, and Orange County, according to the police report.

The Violent Gang Narcotics Enforcement Team, in conjunction with the Community Stabilization Unit, and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office began investigating a drug trafficking organization that was responsible for bringing illegal substances from New York City, into Orange County.

By executing the 11 warrants, NY State Police reportedly seized over two kilograms of cocaine, 17 pounds of cannabis, an unspecified quantity of fentanyl pills, an unspecified amount of cash, and eight illegal firearms. In total, 14 arrests were made. Of the 14 arrests, four individuals are currently being held in Orange County Jail: Baltimore, Antonio Bucci, Tyler Zaborski, and Lester Zaborski.

According to the police report, the nine additional individuals who were apprehended were released either on their own recognizance or given appearance tickets.

The investigation is still ongoing and more arrests are expected.