Feb 9, 2005 By Steve Ferris 2 min read

The Greene County Drug Task Force arrested 10 people Tuesday on warrants charging them with drug offenses. The suspects were arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Lee Watson and preliminary hearings have been tentatively scheduled for Feb.18 before Watson.

“These arrests are the result of the work of the drug task force over several months,” Greene County District Attorney Marjorie J. Fox said.

Task force officers were not able to locate two suspects and their warrants remain outstanding, she said.

The task force relies on information from the public and Fox said she encourages people to continue to assist the task force.

She said Masontown police also assisted in Tuesday’s effort.

Those arrested and the charges they face are:

-James Dotson, 29, of Crucible, possession of marijuana and possession with intent to deliver marijuana.

– Bradley J. Patterson, 20, of Carmichaels, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia

– Jeffery Lyn Balazick Jr., 23, of Carmichaels, possession of drug paraphernalia.

– Jonathan R. O’Conner, 20, of Carmichaels, possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

– Frank Bialko, 52, of Nemacolin, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

– Tracy R. Tarr, 33, of Clarksville, possession of a counterfeit substance.

– Joseph Harper, 24, of Carmichaels, possession of marijuana.

– Albert Daugherty, 24, of Republic, possession of marijuana.

– Michael Laguardia, 35, of Smithfield, possession of marijuana.

– Robert Madden, 19, of Masontown, possession of cocaine, resisting arrest and defiant trespass.

Madden was also arrested by Masontown police on a warrant charging him with possession of cocaine. He was arraigned before District Justice Brenda Cavalcante and placed in the Fayette County Prison in lieu of $5,000 bond, Masontown police officer Joseph Ryan said.

Ryan said the warrant stems from an incident that took place in Fort Mason Village.

Agents of the Office of Attorney General of Pennsylvania manage the task force with the assistance of the Greene County District Attorney. The task force is comprised of members of the Cumberland Township Police Department, Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Carmichaels Police Department, Waynesburg Police Department and Greene County Detectives.

Officials said the public is encouraged to report drug activity by calling 724-627-5391.