Two Men Sentenced On Meth Charges
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. and James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA) announced the sentencing of two men who were convicted of conspiracy to manufacture, possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine.
Bradley J. Hollenbeck, 37, of Andover, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to manufacture, possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, was sentenced to 110 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan T. Cullinane, who handled the case, stated that between January 2011 and late 2014, the defendant engaged in the practice of “smurfing,” buying small quantities of pseudoephedrine, at local pharmacies. Hollenbeck did so to get around restrictions on purchasing products containing pseudoephedrine. This is the most important chemical necessary in the process of manufacturing methamphetamine.
Derek Fagan, 33, of Wellsville, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to manufacture, possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, was sentenced to 30 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan T. Cullinane, who handling the case, stated that between January of 2011 and October 25, 2012, the defendant conspired to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine. In order to avoid restrictions on the purchase of pseudoephedrine, an important chemical in the methamphetamine manufacturing process, Fagan engaged in the practice of “smurfing” (buying small quantities) at local pharmacies.
The sentencings are the culmination of an investigation on the part of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division; the New York State Police Community Narcotics Enforcement (CNET); and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Division; the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force; the Wellsville Police Department; U.S. Border Patrol; and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
