McGraw Man Busted for Felony Drug Possession

A Cortland County man is facing numerous felony counts following a raid on his home in the Village of McGraw.

Cortland County Sheriff’s officials say 47-year-old Chester Burdick is charged with three felony counts Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony (possession of 1/2 ounce or more of a narcotic or possession with intent to sell a narcotic drug) and two felony counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 5th Degree (a Class D Felony)  and two misdemeanor counts of criminally using drug paraphernalia following the search of his West Main Street home on Thursday, December 1.  

Members of the Cortland County Drug Task Force say they found 8 grams of cocaine, 46 bags of Fentanyl, 68 sublinqual strips, 19 Buprenophine pills and 40 Amphetamine pills.. worth over $5,300 on the street as well as drug packaging materials, scales and an unspecified amount of cash believed to be proceeds from drug sales.

Burdick was arraigned through Cortland County Central Arraignment and sent to the Cortland County Jail without bail.  He's scheduled to appear in Cortlandville Town Court December 5.

The investigation is continuing and Cortland County Sheriff's officials say more charges are possible.

If convicted of just one Third Degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Subtstance, Burdick could be looking at a possible prison sentence of up to 25-years.  According to the state penal code, if the defendant has no prior criminal history the sentence is a minimum of five years behind bars, ten if there is a prior conviction.  There could also be a monetary fine of up to $30,000.