LCN - "Members of the Livingston County Drug Task Force and Sheriff’s Office SWAT team executed a search warrant on Clover Street in Caledonia early Tuesday morning.
According to Livingston County Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty, David B. Cohen was arrested by the Caledonia Police Department on charges of cultivating marijuana plants. Cohen is listed as an owner of the home at 3284 Clover St. in Caledonia in Livingston County property tax records.
Cohen, 55, was charged with criminal possession of marijuana in the first degree, a class C felony, and unlawful growing of marijuana, a misdemeanor.
According to state penal law, a person is guilty of criminal possession of marijuana in the first degree when he knowingly and unlawfully possesses more than 10 pounds of marijuana or substances containing marijuana. A class C felony is punishable by 1 to 5-1/2 years in prison.
Cohen was arraigned in York Town Court Tuesday afternoon before Justice Thomas Porter and remanded to the custody of the Sheriff on $15,000 cash or $30,000 bond.
One neighbor who witnessed the raid said it took place at around 8:30 a.m.
“I just see this weird truck pulling down Clover Street, ‘I say what the f—- is that? That’s not the garbage truck,’ because Tuesday’s garbage day,” said the neighbor, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “I got up and went and looked from the bathroom window where I’ve got a better view… I looked out through and could see (officers) lined up - at last a half a dozen of them with guns and dressed like army soldiers.”
The neighbor said law enforcement used a couple of flash grenades prior to making entry through the residence’s front door.
Other residents in the area also reported hearing two loud explosions Tuesday morning and received texts from the Sheriff’s Office advising them not to be alarmed.
Law enforcement started hauling totes out from Cohen’s home shortly after the raid, said the neighbor. As of about 12:45 p.m., authorities were still working to remove things, according to the neighbor.
The Livingston County Drug Task Force is comprised of members of the following agencies: The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office, Avon Police Department, Caledonia Police Department, Dansville Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, Geneseo Police Department, Mount Morris Police Department, Nunda Police Department, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Livingston County District Attorney’s Office.
Anyone with information regarding the sale of illegal drugs in Livingston County is asked to report it to the Sheriff’s Office by calling 243-7100. People can also leave a tip at www.livingstoncounty.us/sheriff under the TAKE ACTION, TIP LINE. Informants may remain anonymous if they wish.
Livingston County News correspondent Sally Santora contributed to this report."