NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. - Two men have been arrested after police say they were found by officers to in possession of the synthetic drugs known as "bath salts."

Officers said that while patrolling on Valley View Road, they observed two young men walking along the side of the road at about 10:15 p.m. on Monday evening. When an officer stopped to check on the pair, they said the men appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance and could not explain their activity in the area. They also began to provide the officer with conflicting reasons as to why they were walking or where they were traveling to when asked if they needed any assistance, police said.

The men were ultimately offered assistance by police to locate a relative they were seeking, who they explained was at a residence on Sedgewick Park near the intersection with Valley View Road. Both men were searched for contraband when one of the men, later identified as Macsim Kozakevich, 16, of Marcy, was found to be in possession of a small quantity of "bath salts."

Police said that a field test of the substance indicated that the "bath salt" contained mephedrone, which is a controlled substance. Kozakevich was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. The other male was not in possession of any controlled substances and he was later released from the scene.

According to authorities, Kozakevich became agitated while in police custody but maintained that his older brother was in the area. Two police officers were able to locate the older brother, identified as Artem Kozakevich, 22, also of Marcy, on Sedgewick Park. Police said that Artem also appeared to be impaired and a further investigation revealed that he was also in possession of "bath salts."

Artem Kozakevich was placed under arrest and transported, along with his younger brother, to the New Hartford Police Department. Both men were charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, which is a misdemeanor. Both men were released on appearance tickets and will answer the charges at a later date in the Town of New Hartford Court.