MALONE - North Country prosecutors have sent many a drug dealer to state prison or jail for their involvement with marijuana trafficking. So what do the district attorneys in Franklin, Clinton and Essex counties think about Gov. Andrew Cuomo's intent to legalize medical-marijuana use by certain patients with chronic pain? "For myself, it's A, a slippery slope, and B, if this is a ploy for legalization, go ahead and vote and quit this charade," Franklin County District Attorney Derek Champagne said. [continues 603 words]
AKWESASNE - Five residents of the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation were among dozens of people indicted for allegedly trafficking millions of dollars in cash and marijuana at two other reservations. The 11-month investigation into trafficking networks at the Onondaga Indian Reservation near Syracuse and Salamanca Indian Reservation near Buffalo led to the arrests Wednesday of 29 people. Each was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute marijuana, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Syracuse. [continues 198 words]
Thirty-Six People From Franklin County Accused Of Illegally Buying Or Selling Prescription Drugs. MALONE -- Three dozen people, half of whom received public assistance, were arrested Tuesday for selling or buying prescription drugs paid for by Franklin County taxpayers. District Attorney Derek Champagne said five to seven of them were making a living selling prescription drugs they had allegedly obtained by either: Exaggerating symptoms at a doctor's office. Faking injuries in automobile accidents. Coaching each other before doctor visits to ensure they got more-potent prescriptions. [continues 182 words]
Malone -- A public hearing on a proposed asset-seizure law quickly turned into a mock trial, of sorts, but the verdict will have to wait because the jury wants to consider more evidence. Three attorneys tried to sway Franklin County legislators to their respective sides over a proposed law that would allow the District Attorney's Office to seize assets, cash and vehicles from people convicted of misdemeanor drug offenses. District Attorney Derek Champagne wants permission to grab up all the assets he can to further the county's fight to curb narcotics and marijuana trafficking and the violence that -- at least statistically -- accompanies the drug trade. [continues 432 words]
DA Wants To Attack Drug Problem With Misdemeanor Seizures MALONE - A public hearing next month will determine if Franklin County residents want the district attorney to go after small-time drug operations. Federal laws already allow law-enforcement agencies to seize vehicles, cash and other items that are used in felony-level narcotics- trafficking cases. But DA Derek Champagne wants the county to adopt a new law that would give him the same powers to seize items in misdemeanor-level drug cases. [continues 298 words]
