Drug probes culminate with 3 arrests

KINGSTON, N.Y. » Three city residents were arrested after search warrants executed at two residences in Midtown resulted in the discovery of heroin, methamphetamines and amphetamines, according to Kingston police.

Melvin K. Howell, 48, and Karla R. Bell, 41, both of Stephan Street, were arrested without incident about 7 a.m. Friday, at Howell’s residence, police said. They said the two arrests concluded an investigation into the sale of heroin on Stephan Street and that detectives recovered additional evidence in the case during a search of Howell’s home.

Howell was charged with two felony counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, two felony counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor count of using drug paraphernalia, according to police. He was arraigned in

City Court and sent to the Ulster County Jail without bail.

Bell was charged with the misdemeanor of criminal nuisance and released with a court appearance ticket.

On Wednesday, about 2 p.m., Leith L. Mickens, 28, of Hasbrouck Avenue, was arrested by the Kingston police Special Investigations Unit and members of the state police.

Mickens’ arrest ended an investigation into the sale of methamphetamine and amphetamines throughout the city, police said.

Mickens was taken into custody after a warrant search of his home turned up a large amount of amphetamines and methamphetamines, police said.

Mickens was charged with three felony counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance and two misdemeanor counts of using drug paraphernalia, police said. He was arraigned in City Court and released with appearance tickets.