SCSO: 13 arrested, 43 lbs of pot and $10K cash seized in Malta bust

MALTA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Law enforcement seized over 43 pounds of marijuana and $10,000 cash after executing a search warrant in Malta earlier this month. 13 people were arrested as a result, each of whom was charged with two counts of second-degree criminal possession of cannabis.

On Friday, February 9, personnel from the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) and the New York State Office of Cannabis Management executed a search warrant at 2244 U.S. Route 9 in Malta. The search warrant was the result of an ongoing investigation into the sale and possession of marijuana in Saratoga County.

Deputies say vendors operating in the illegal open-air market were found with a large quantity of concentrated marijuana, hallucinogenic mushrooms, and over 43 pounds of marijuana. Deputies say they also seized over $10,000 cash and two handguns.

Leslie Mason Flowers (Troy, 32), Russell Gorgen (Glenville, 31), Damian Pitt (Mechanicville, 22), Joseph Lavoie (Sutton, MA, 53), Zachary Wissenbach (Delanson, 26), Gerald Helm (Saratoga Springs, 33), Kevin Tidd (Glenville, 37), Saverio Mastriana (Albany, 34), Thomas Boglino (Amsterdam, 35), Tracy New (Albany, 33), Christina Denardo (Westfield, MA, 37) Jonathan Lachapelle (36, Malta), and Christopher Loya (48, Troy) were all arrested. Deputies say Mason Flowers and Denardo were also charged with criminal possession of a firearm. All were issued appearance tickets to return to the Malta Town Court at a later date.