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Alexis Pleus of Truth Pharm demonstrates how to administer Narcan to save a person from dying of a heroin, opioid overdose
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In January, the Elmira Police Department and New York State Police got a confidential tip: Someone known as “Hollywood” was selling heroin around the area.

Andrew Tingling, 39, was identified as the suspect after a law enforcement investigation that included some surveillance operations, which culminated in a search warrant and arrest March 1 at his home on South Avenue in Elmira.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged Tingling with possessing a little more than two pounds of heroin, along with fentanyl, in Chemung County. He’s awaiting a detention hearing Friday in Rochester’s federal courthouse.

Court records allege Tingling has been supplied with heroin for about three years from a source in Brooklyn, and he obtains the drugs once or twice each month.

On March 1, when investigators showed up at Tingling’s home shortly after 5 a.m., they found Tingling and a woman in the master bedroom. Court records said he allegedly told police officers “all the contraband in the residence was his.”

Here’s what court records allege was found in Tingling’s home:

  • About 300 grams of fentanyl
  • A .22-caliber revolver loaded with four rounds of ammunition
  • Drug paraphernalia including scales, grinders, baggies, envelopes and dilutants
  • More than $50,000 in cash
  • Cell phones

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When questioned by Elmira police after the search, Tingling said he typically diluted the heroin he obtained from Brooklyn in order to double the amount of the mixture.

The firearm, Tingling added, had allegedly been stolen from a friend in Virginia Beach and kept for protection while selling drugs.

Court records mention Tingling has two felony convictions about 10 years apart, one in Kings County and another in Chemung: Criminal possession of a weapon and attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance, both of which resulted in prison sentences.

The recent federal charges include with felony counts of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

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