Month long drug trafficking investigation ends with arrest in Herkimer County

(Herkimer, NY - June 2, 2010) On May 25, 2010, the New York State Police Community Narcotics Enforcement Team, with the assistance of Troopers from Troop D Herkimer, and Sullivan, and Troop C Richfield Springs, culminated a month long investigation into cocaine trafficking in Herkimer and Otsego Counties.

The investigation resulted in the arrest of 41 year-old, Eric A. Champlin, AKA Eric A. Stilson, from 778 County Route 26, Fly Creek, Otsego County. Champlin was arrested on Route 28 in Herkimer County in possession of more than ten (10) ounces of cocaine, which was secreted in the bottom of a cereal box. Champlin was also in possession of an illegally possessed loaded .380 semi-auto handgun, which was secreted between the driver’s seat and center console of the vehicle he was driving.

Seized in addition to the cocaine was over $1,500 in US currency as well as a 2004 Dodge Ram 4 x 4 Pick-up truck.

Subsequent to the arrest of Champlin, a search warrant was executed at his residence in Fly Creek. This search resulted in the discovery of an additional 1.5 ounces of cocaine, nearly an ounce of crack cocaine, more than two pounds of marijuana, four (4) more illegally possessed semi-auto handguns, an AK 47 Assault Rifle as well as three (3) more long guns.

Also located on the property of Champlin was a storage shed used exclusively for re-pressing cocaine, which contained a large cocaine press and steel molds.

Also seized during the search warrant was a large quantity of ammunition for the seized weapons as well as scales and packaging materials for weighing and packaging cocaine.

The drugs seized during the investigation were estimated to be worth in excess of $30,000.

Champlin was arraigned in the Town of Herkimer for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 1^st Degree, (an A-1 Felony) and committed to the Herkimer County Jail with NO BAIL.

Additional charges in Herkimer and Otsego County are pending.

Month long drug trafficking investigation ends with arrest in Herkimer County

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