AMSTERDAM - A six-month investigation by city police and Montgomery County sheriff's deputies culminated in the arrests of five people early Friday morning on drug-sale charges.
A sixth suspect, unnamed by police, remains at large.
Police acted on search warrants for the second floor rear apartment at 296 E. Main St. and the first floor of 189 Church St., signed by Amsterdam City Court Judge Howard Aison.
All five were charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, a Class B felony.
Jose Ayala, 41, of 189 Church St., was charged based on a search warrant.
Four others were charged based on arrest warrants signed by Aison:
Gabriel Almonte, 26, of 223 Division St.;
Angel "Junito" Quinones, 30, of 18 Swan St.;
Lisandro "Lilo" Garcia, 30, is currently in the Montgomery County Jail on unrelated charges;
James Valentin, 37, of 8 Swan St.
The sixth suspect, who also faces a felony charge of criminal sale of a controlled substance, was not at the East Main Street location, police said.
No cash or drugs were located during the raids, police said. Drug paraphernalia was seized from both locations, police said.
All five were arraigned before Aison in Amsterdam City Court and sent to the Montgomery County Jail without bail.
The investigation continues, and additional charges are possible, police said.
The names of some of those arrested will be forwarded to the Montgomery County Department of Social Services for the investigation of possible welfare fraud, police said.