Two men from Liberty have been arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation into the sale of heroin in Sullivan County. Anthony Aubain, 24, of Yaun Avenue and Linval Pringle, 25, of Lincoln Place were taken into custody shortly before 4:00 p.m. on December 10 on Sullivan Avenue in Liberty.

They were traveling in a silver 2010 Dodge Charger that resembled an unmarked police car. Deputies believe the driver, Aubain, who lists his occupation as a self employed barber, may be one of the major suppliers of heroin in the area. “We are looking into Mr. Aubain’s activities in Liberty, Fallsburg and Monticello”, said Sheriff Mike Schiff.

Deputies recovered 34 bags of heroin at the scene and an undisclosed amount of cash. Aubain was charged with criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance, both felonies. Pringle was charged with felony criminal sale of a controlled substance, for acting in concert with Aubain. The men were arraigned and sent to the Sullivan County Jail without bail.

Sheriff Mike Schiff noted a disturbing trend since his agency’s last big heroin bust on October 2, 2012. On that date, a Forestburgh man was arrested for selling heroin with the brand name “Last Dragon” stamped on it. That brand was being investigated by the Coroner’s office for a possible link to several deaths involving overdoses in Sullivan County. “We are finding that the dealers are now reluctant to stamp a brand name on their heroin packets”, said the Sheriff.

“My gang intelligence unit has heard that the dealers are concerned they may face a manslaughter charge if someone overdoses and the heroin brand is traced back to them”, he said. The heroin recovered in the Liberty arrest did not have a brand name or stamp on it.