Tuxedo police bust father and son

Tuxedo - A Greenwood Lake man and his 19-year-old son face felony drug charges after Town of Tuxedo police found marijuana, heroin and $10,683 in cash inside the father’s white Ford Escort wagon. The arrest began with a cell phone call on Nov. 18 to Ramapo Police about a car driving erratically on Route 17. At about 8 p.m. that Friday evening, Ramapo Police then called Tuxedo Police with a heads up that the car was approaching the Tuxedo town line. First, Tuxedo Police Officer Mike Sanford observed the vehicle traveling up the 17A ramp from Route 17 North. Then Sgt. Patrick Welsh got behind the Ford as it traveled west on Route 17A. Seeing that the vehicle failed to maintain its proper lane, police said, Sanford and Welsh stopped the vehicle in the area of the Renaissance Faire. Police said both the operator, Anthony Curatola, 45, and his son, Vincent A. Curatola, 19, both of Greenwood Lake, were not wearing their seat belts. Police also said both policemen observed “a bag of green, vegetable-like substance that appeared to be marijuana on the floor behind the console.” After the two were detained at the scene, a search of the vehicle revealed “two grams of powder heroin, two snorting straws, two glassine envelopes with residue believed to be heroin as well as $10,683.” Police said the money was separated into ten $1,000-stacks and one loose one of $683. Officer Peter Artusa and his K-9 partner “Basko” were called in to search the car, leading to the discovery of the 143 baggies and aluminum foil in the spare tire area. The two men were third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, a felony; second-degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor; unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation; and not wearing a seat belt. Anthony Curatola also was charged with DWAI - Drugs, as a misdemeanor, and failing to maintain a lane. Father and son were arraigned by Warwick Town Justice Peter Barlet and send to Orange County Jail on $5,000 cash bail each. Tuxedo Police were assisted by the Village of Tuxedo Park Police.