CHAUTAUQUA — Today the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office announced that two individuals were charged with illegal drug possession following a traffic stop last month.

On Sept. 22 at about 2 a.m. deputies on patrol stopped a vehicle for an observed traffic violation on West Lake Road in the town of Chautauqua. The operator was identified as Catherine A. Tooley, 35, of Westfield and a passenger identified himself as Leroy W. Stepp, Jr, 27 of Mayville. Further investigation led to a narcotics sniff of the vehicle by Sheriff’s Office K9 Link, which did alert to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle.

Both Tooley and Stepp were allegedly found in possession of separate quantities of methamphetamine and hypodermic needles.

Stepp was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminally using hypodermic instrument.

Tooley was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminally using hypodermic instrument, third-degree aggravated unlicensed operator, uninspected motor vehicle, and inadequate muffler.

Both subjects were processed and released with citations directing them to appear in town of Chautauqua Court at a later date.