By: Laura Soukkavong –
Athol, Ma – On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, the Northwest District Attorney’s Office’s Anti-Crime Task Force and Detective Forand of the Athol Police Department executed a search warrant that led to the arrest of Taylor Balfour, age 65, and Corey Melanson, age 49, for illegal narcotics.
The warrant was executed following an ongoing, lengthy investigation and citizen complaints.
This also included prior warrant executions in 2024 and 2025. Both parties will be arraigned in the Orange District Court and are presumed innocent until proven guilty.