A months-long drug investigation in Ontario County culminated in the arrest of a Canandaigua man and the seizure of significant quantities of controlled substances, authorities announced Wednesday.
Jeffrey R. Johnson, 42, was taken into custody on February 24 when officers stopped his vehicle as he exited the New York State Thruway at Exit 43 in the Town of Manchester. Johnson was charged with first-degree and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, classified as Class A-I and Class B felonies, respectively.
Following his arrest, law enforcement executed multiple search warrants overnight, leading to the discovery of a massive stash of illegal drugs. Among the narcotics seized were approximately 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, 9,108 tabs of LSD, six pounds of marijuana, 6.7 pounds of mushrooms suspected to contain psilocybin, 1.6 kilograms of ketamine, 27.9 ounces of MDMA, and 92 Ecstasy pills. Authorities also confiscated $6,879 in cash.
“This investigation remains active, and additional arrests are possible,” said Ontario County Sheriff David J. Cirencione, emphasizing the impact of the drug seizure. “There is no doubt that the seizure of these drugs before they entered our neighborhoods and communities will prevent countless overdoses and likely save lives.”
Johnson was arraigned in Ontario County CAP Court on February 25 and is currently being held at the Ontario County Jail without bail as the case progresses.
The investigation was led by the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division, with assistance from the Wayne County and Seneca County sheriff’s offices, Canandaigua and Geneva police departments, the Ontario County District Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Authorities are urging anyone with information on illegal drug activity to call (585) 396-3784 or submit a tip via the “OntarioSheriffNY” mobile app.
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