Crack, pot, and illegal weapons found in Hancock

The New York State Police are reporting that two Hancock men, 45-year-old John T. Gurnick and 31-year-old James P. Santicola, were arrested last Thursday in Hancock for allegedly posessing crack cocaine, an illegal handgun, marijuana, marijuana cultivation equipment, and an illegal "butterfly knife."

The full press release is reprinted below:

On December 9, 2010, the New York State Police arrested JOHN T. GURNICK, 45, of 387 E. Front Street, Hancock, NY for, two counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree, one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th degree after a search warrant resulted in the seizure crack cocaine, marihuana and handgun from GURNICK’S vehicle and residence. JAMES P. SANTICOLA, 31, of the same address, was also arrested and charged with Criminal Possession of Marihuana 5th degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th degree.

At approximately 1:00 pm, members of the New York State Police Community Narcotics Enforcement Team executed a search warrant on GURNICK’s vehicle, while he was driving on Elm Street in the Village of Hancock. A search of the vehicle yielded 5 grams of crack cocaine.

Troopers subsequently executed a search warrant on GURNICK’S residence. A search of the residence yielded a .22 caliber handgun which was illegally possessed by GURNICK, and approximately 38 grams of marihuana, equipment used for growing marihuana, and a butterfly knife, which were illegally possessed by SANTICOLA.

The arrests were the result of an investigation conducted by the NYSP Community Narcotics Enforcement Team into the sales of crack cocaine in the Village of Hancock.

Both GURNICK and SANTICOLA were arraigned in the Village of Hancock Court and remanded to Delaware County Jail without bail.