Syracuse Man Convicted of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance

Auburn, NY - District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci announced that, CHANCHHAYAVAN CHOURB, 32, of Syracuse, New York, was found guilty following a three day-long jury trial of both counts in the indictment charging one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B Felony, and one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, a Class C felony, for possessing more than 1/8th of an ounce of cocaine with the intent to sell.

The jury returned its guilty verdict after hearing testimony and reviewing evidence, including photographs and officer testimony. The jury concluded that on July 1, 2022, at approximately 1 in the morning, while in the area of South Street and Chedell Place, in the City of Auburn, CHOURB, possessed approximately six grams of powder cocaine and over three grams of crack cocaine packaged for re-sale.   In the aggregate, the cocaine weighed well in excess of 1/8th of an ounce.

The testimony established that CHOURB was in possession of cocaine following a traffic investigation. CHOURB was stopped by members of the Auburn Police Department following his failure to use his turn signal while changing lanes. Once pulled over, police learned that CHOURB possessed only a learners permit, and as the sole occupant, was not legally able to operate the vehicle. Members of APD then ordered CHOURB to exit the vehicle. Once out of the car, CHOURB attempted to flee on foot, but was apprehended after a brief pursuit. Once in custody, members of APD discovered a large bag of cocaine in the North bound lane of South Street near where CHOURB took flight. Members of the Finger Lakes Drug Task Force were then called in to assist in the investigation.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Britton H. Bouchard and Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Susan Azzarelli.

CHOURB faces a maximum determinate term of 15 years of imprisonment with three years of post-release supervision. He is scheduled to be sentenced before the Honorable Thomas G. Leone on June 29, 2023. CHOURB was remanded to the custody of the Cayuga County Jail without bail pending sentencing.

“We are pleased with the jury’s verdict and appreciate the time and consideration the jurors gave listening to and reviewing the evidence throughout the trial.” District Attorney Grome Antonacci commented, “We commend the quick response and efforts of the Auburn Police Department and the Finger Lakes Drug Task Force in removing these narcotics from our community.”