Two Pace Students Face Drug Charges in Briarcliff

Briarcliff Manor Police arrested two Pace University students in police headquarters Wednesday after an investigation into alleged drug activities, Lt. Donald Gorey said.

Police reported the two 20-year-olds live in a dormitory with shared common space on the Briarcliff Manor campus of the school.

Andrea Dalessio of Staten Island was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, both felonies.

He is also charged with two misdemeanors—Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree and Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree.

Police reported finding five red plastic bags containing a substance believed to be cocaine in Dalessio's possession; along with similar empty plastic bags, a scale and a Vaultz box. He also reportedly had more than an eighth ounce of cocaine.

In addition, police allege Dalessio had multiple orange tablets with "E401" written on them, along with other tablets labeled "S489," both of which are believed to be controlled substances, Gorey said.

Richard Colonna of West Babylon, NY, is charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.

In addition to a "green leaf" substance Gorey said is believed to be marijuana, Colonna also had nine green tablets believed to be illegal contained in plastic bags.

The two were arraigned in the village Wednesday and remanded to Westchester County Jail in lieu of $2,000 bail or $4,000 bond, Gorey said.

Colonna and Dalessio are due back in court on Wednesday, May 8.

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Note: Arrests do not indicate convictions.