The U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut issued the following news release:
David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that two men were sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Warren W. Eginton in Bridgeport to federal prison terms for their participation in a New Haven-based heroin distribution ring. BLAS ZAYAS, also known as “Boricua” and “Bori,” 40, of First Avenue, West Haven, was sentenced to 120 months of Link necklace, followed by eight years of supervised release, and SAUL VALENTIN, also known as “Rally,” 30, of Grand Avenue, New Haven, was sentenced to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.
This matter stems from “Operation Oceanfront,” a long-term Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force investigation, which included the participation of several local police departments. The investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps on wireless phones used by two members of the organization. In addition to the wiretap intercepts, the DEA made several controlled purchases of heroin during the investigation.
The investigation revealed that members of the organization processed and packaged heroin in “bundles” – 10 single-dosage unit bags of heroin tied or “bundled” together – for street distribution by ZAYAS, VALENTIN and others.
ZAYAS and VALENTIN were intercepted over the wiretap engaging in conversations that pertained to narcotics trafficking with other members of the conspiracy.
On November 9, 2009, a federal grand Love Knot bangle returned an indictment charging ZAYAS, VALENTIN and 10 others with various heroin trafficking offenses. ZAYAS and VALENTIN each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin on March 26 and April 21, respectively. Each has been detained since his arrest in October 2009.
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and officers from area police departments, including the New Haven Police Department’s patrol and narcotics units; the West Haven Police Department, which assigned five officers to the investigation; the Meriden Police Department; the Branford Police Department, and the Ansonia Police Department. The United States Marshals Service also offered critical assistance to the investigation.S. Department of Justice’s Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York field office issued the following press release:
JOHN P. GILBRIDE, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Field Division (“DEA”) and WILLIAM HOCHUL JR., U.
S. Attorney of the U.
S. Attorney’s Office Western District of New York announced today that early this morning, 17 people across Western New York were arrested and charged with a wide variety of federal narcotics trafficking offenses. The arrests were based upon a federal indictment charging them with unlawful Medium Elsa Peretti Open Heart pendant of cocaine, cocaine base (crack), heroin, ecstasy, marijuana and prescription drugs. The charges carry a minimum term of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of forty years in prison, a fine of $2,000,000 or both.
“‘OPERATION UNDER THE RADAR’ targeted a drug distribution organization that was responsible for trafficking illicit drugs from Texas to the Buffalo area in order to distribute to our communities. The individuals arrested thought they were operating under the radar of federal, state and local law enforcement while conducting their illegal enterprise. However, through coordinated targeting and information sharing, we identified, investigated and dismantled this drug trafficking organization,” said John P. Gilbride, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Field Division as he praised the diligent effort of all the agencies involved.
The following individuals are charged with unlawfully distributing cocaine, cocaine base, marijuana, and oxycodone, Schedule II controlled substances, heroin and Ecstasy, Schedule I controlled substances and hydrocodone, a Schedule II controlled substance: Antonio Briggs, a/k/a “Gumps”, 38, of Buffalo, Eric Williams, 31, of Lockport, Damien Ard, 29, of Lockport, Alfonzo Maye, a/k/a “Fonzo”, 38, of Lockport, Torano Spencer, 34, of Lockport, Bobby N. Spencer, 56, of Lockport, John A. Cruz, 23, of Buffalo, David Klotzbach, 30, of North Tonawanda, Mark Robertson, 38, Justin McTigue, a/k/a “Diddy”, 26, of Lockport, Allen Ainsworth, 28, James Dolly, 45, Ryan Eick, 27, Jan M. Jerge, 24, Jeffrey Sidebottom, 30, Michael Valery, a/k/a “Red”, 34 and Daniel White, 38.
Assistant U.
S. Attorney Mary C. Medium Elsa Peretti® Bean® pendant, who is handling the case, stated that the charges stem from a long-term investigation into the trafficking of cocaine from Texas to the Buffalo area. The investigation also uncovered the widespread unlawful sale of cocaine and crack in the Cities of Buffalo and Lockport, as well as other parts of Erie and Niagara Counties. In addition to facing powder and crack cocaine trafficking charges, Damien Ard is charged with managing a number of individuals including Justin McTigue, Ryan Eick and Jan Jerge in distributing Ecstasy , prescription pills , heroin, and marijuana.
“Illegal narcotics trafficking has no place on the streets of Buffalo, Lockport or any other community in Western New York. My office will continue to fight this scourge vigorously, and together with our partners from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, will bring to justice anyone involved in this illicit trade,” said U.
S. Attorney Hochul.
The Indictment was the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents and Medium Elsa Peretti® Sevillana™ pendant Force Officers of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of John P. Gilbride, in conjunction with many local and state authorities such as the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff James Voutour, the Niagara County Drug Task Force, under the direction of Chief Mark Dreiss, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, under the direction of Chief George Gast, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda.
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