NORWICH, N.Y. (AP) - Two central New York men are accused of
conspiring to kill a police officer and a retired police chief.

Authorities in Chenango County say 27-year-old Mathew Smith and
25-year-old Robert Gallo Junior, both of Norwich, were charged yesterday with conspiracy.

According to Norwich authorities, police received information that suspects in a drug case had made threats against some officers. Court documents show that Gallo tried to buy a rifle last weekend from a sporting goods store just outside Norwich.

Police aren't identifying the officer and retired police chief the two suspects are accused of targeting for death. The Norwich Police Department has four retired police chiefs, three living in the area and one in Florida.

Smith and Gallo are being held in the county jail on 1 million dollars bail.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)