12 more drug arrests

Area police continue to haul in suspects as part of a drug law enforcement dragnet.

Twelve people in and around Cameron County were arrested on Thursday and charged with dealing and/or possessing drugs. Emporium Borough Police Chief Rufus Jones said more arrests are expected. He continues to encourage residents to provide leads to the police.

A regional drug task force, including the Pa. Attorney General's office, Pa. State Police and Emporium Borough Police, began rounding up suspects at 6 a.m. Thursday.

Police report confiscating at least five weapons -- handguns, shotguns and rifles -- as well as money during the raids.

Authorities allege that confidential informants bought oxycodone and suspected cocaine from Keith Lucanik, 41, of Shippen Township, in July and August.

Robert Chmelar, 35, Emporium, faces charges of selling suspected cocaine in May.

Tim (Spunk) Summers, 43, also of Emporium, is accused of selling oxycodone from an apartment he rented on South Wood Street, and from a parking lot in St. Marys in December and January.

Preston Clingan, 28, is accused of illegally possessing prescription medication and selling oxycodone from his house on Arrowhead Road in June.

Bryan Andrus, 20, of Emporium, faces charges of selling marijuana, using a phone to set up a drug transaction, illegally possessing prescription drugs and selling prescription drugs. Those offenses occurred in July and August.

Dennis Cressley, 48, and his son Michael, 22, face multiple charges. Dennis Cressley is accused of selling suspected cocaine from his house on Rt. 120 in Shippen.

Police say that when they arrived on Thursday, Michael Cressley admitted to owning a marijuana pipe and a plastic bag filled with marijuana seeds. Officers say the younger Cressley attempted to flush a bag filled with suspected cocaine down a toilet. That evidence has been recovered and is being tested.

Also, police report that Ronald Dill, 51, formerly of Shippen Township, was arrested on three counts of possessing and selling illicit drugs over the summer months.

Two other drug suspects were arraigned in Elk County. They are Tonya Dilley and Jeffrey Geyer, both of St. Marys. Geyer, 31, was already being held in the Elk County Jail on other charges. No details were released on the drug counts.

Also, a Cameron County teenager was petitioned into juvenile court on drug charges.

Chief Rufus Jones said the raids were well coordinated thanks to communications equipment provided by Cameron County Emergency Medical Services.

(Information courtesy Radio Station WLEM, Emporium.)