NEWFANE —
Niagara County Drug Task Force investigators seized more than 90 marijuana plants, mushrooms and various drug paraphernalia after they raided a man’s home Friday morning.
According to a report from the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect’s house came under investigation after deputies observed “a steady flow of school-age kids arriving before and after school for short stays.”
Robert A. Ouellete, 34, 2842 S. Main St., was charged with Class D felony second-degree criminal possession of marijuana, unlawfully growing cannabis, obstruction of governmental administration and resisting arrest after the defendant failed to comply with officers while executing the warrant.
Ouellete was arraigned by Town of Newfane Judge Bruce Barnes, where he pleaded not guilty and his bail was set at $8,000. Ouellete is also being held on an outstanding, unrelated bench warrant from the City of Buffalo on separate drug charges.
A report from the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office said members of the Niagara County Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at Ouellete’s home around 9:43 a.m. after the warrant was signed by Barnes following an investigation of drug activity at the suspect’s home.
Upon searching the home, Ouellete was arrested when agents raided the home and “located a sophisticated marijuana growing system throughout the house,” deputies said.
Members of the DTF confiscated more than 90 marijuana plants, a lighting system, scales and a computer all used to grow marijuana. DTF agents also located a room in the house where suspected hallucinogenic mushrooms were being grown and produced.
Sheriff James R. Voutour said the Sheriff’s Office worked closely with Town Supervisor Tim Horanburg and business owners to address quality of life in the Town of Newfane. Newfane School District Resource Officer, Deputy Justin Birmingham, was also involved in developing information, along with Newfane school administration, Voutour said.
The investigation also relied on members of the Newfane community, block clubs and businesses, that provided tips and information to police.
“We have been working closely with the Sheriff’s Office to address many recent problems along Main Street and throughout the town,” Horanburg said. “Today’s warrant will put a major dent in drug trafficking in Newfane. I commend the Niagara County Drug Task Force for their quick response to our issues.”
Voutour said Ouellete was a “major supplier of a multitude of drugs” around the Newfane area.
“It really disturbs me that the traffic flow in and out of his house, as observed by surveillance, consisted of school-age kids,” Voutour said. “The Newfane area has fell victim to many crimes recently and many of those crimes can be directly linked to drug use. We are not done in Newfane. We have just begun.”
Ouellete is scheduled for Town of Newfane Court on Tuesday.
Contact reporter Britney Milazzo at 439-9222, ext. 6251.
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