On February 18^th 2026 at around 7:00pm The Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force, with the assistance of Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Echo, executed a search warrant on a vehicle in the City of Salamanca.  As a result, Karen Fries of Allegany was arrested for criminal possession of a controlled substance 2^rd, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3^rd and three counts of criminally using drug paraphernalia in the 2^nd degree. Ms. Fries was found to be in possession of more than 2 ounces of crystal methamphetamine, more than 7 grams of fentanyl, and more than 1 ounce of crack cocaine. Ms. Fries is being held pending arraignment.

The Southern Tier Regional Drug Taskforce is comprised of members of the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, Salamanca Police Department and Olean Police Department.