OBSERVER Staff Report

SILVER CREEK — Two residents of the village were arrested Thursday morning for crack sales after a months-long investigation by law enforcement.

A Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department bulletin Thursday evening stated, “For the past several months a multi-jurisdictional drug investigation has been conducted by members of the (STRDTF) Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force, (FBI) Federal Bureau of Investigation, (HSI) Homeland Security Investigations, New York State Police and the Town of Evans Police Department. The scope of the investigation involved the sale and distribution of crack cocaine in Silver Creek.”

According to the sheriff’s department release, the investigation led to a search warrant for 276 1/2 Central Ave. in Silver Creek, as well as arrest warrants for Keith S. Cooley and Rebecca J. Gard. At about 11 a.m. Thursday, members of Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office SWAT executed the search warrant. Upon entry, Cooley, 21, and Gard, 20, were located inside of the residence and taken into custody on arrest warrants for third degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.

A search of the residence resulted in a seizure of crack cocaine, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and a quantity of U.S. currency.

Both Cooley and Gard were transported to the county jail pending arraignment. Charges related to the search are pending and will be laid at a later date.

Members of the (STRDTF) Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force encourage the public to please report any illegal drug activity to these numbers: Sheriffs Office Tip Line, 664-2420; Dunkirk Police Tip Line, 363-0313 ;Jamestown Metro Tip Line, 483-8477.