PORT JERVIS, NY — In an effort to curb violent crime and property break-ins as well as cut down the illicit narcotics traffic fueling them, Port Jervis Police Department successfully investigated and arrested six persons within the city in the beginning of October as part of an Orange County-wide sweep coordinated by the District Attorney’s Office. A few days later, two more were arrested in Sparrowbush.

Police Chief Bill Worden said co-operation and collaboration between police departments in several towns across the county, and between New Jersey and Pennsylvania police departments was vital in the success of the operation.

“Basically, you have all the agencies in Orange County across several jurisdictions, DA, sheriff’s department and the public involved.” Worden added the department relies heavily on the public to supply them with information, and encouraged for anyone with tips to call 845/858-4003—anonymously if necessary. ”If you see anything, you need to speak up.”

Worden explained, “These arrests came after several months of undercover operations and collaboration. We worked together, sharing info, and executing several search warrants, and arresting the individuals. We arrested six key figures within Port Jervis who were very actively selling heroin and crack cocaine. They’re all in Orange County jail waiting for prosecution.”

Those arrested were problems not only in Port Jervis, but also in other towns like Middletown, the coordinated sweep found out, he added.

The following individuals were arrested and charged with several drug-related charges:

Ashley Plotts (27) and Davon Bush (30) of 16 Barcelow St., where 16 grams of crack cocaine were concealed in a child’s pink shoe; Raymond Slockbower (24) of 10 Prospect St.; Hector Cruz (29) of 186 Ball St.; Derrick Holmes (42) of 186 Ball St.; and Tony Walker (32). Walker was already in the custody of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office at the time of arrest.

Plotts and Bush were charged with endangering the welfare of a child, and Holmes with possession of weapons in addition to the drug related charges.

A few days later, Christopher Delacruz (27), also known by the street name “Y O”, and Victoria Mann (25) both of Slate Hill, were arrested while temporarily residing at the Fox Lane residence in Sparrowbush. Delacruz was reportedly selling crack cocaine and heroin.

“Illicit narcotics trafficking, particularly of heroin, has continued to devastate the lives of those in our communities,” said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler. “The broad range of jurisdictions represented in this enforcement action clearly demonstrates that the illicit trade is not confined to the cities but is a problem throughout the county. It is particularly alarming that in each of the four narcotics enforcement actions we conducted this year there are defendants who continue to sell near elementary school grounds.

“When a search warrant was executed at the home of Ashley Plotts and Davon Bush, cocaine weighing over a half an ounce, which they are charged with possessing with intent to sell, was recovered from a child’s pink shoe. Dealing narcotics around children is particularly heinous, and those defendants will be dealt with appropriately. The recovery of handguns from these defendants further demonstrates the connection between the illicit narcotics trade and violence. Despite the efforts of law enforcement, it is clear that heroin use is on the rise and has become the number one quality-of-life crime issue in the Hudson Valley.”

Worden said the department will keep aggressively pursuing those engaged in illicit narcotics trading.