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BUFFALO---Eight indictments returned by Erie County grand juries have been unsealed, charging 26 people with participating in a large-scale heroin and cocaine trafficking operation. Additionally, two other people were arrested after being charged in two separate but related felony complaints.
The arrests stem from a joint investigation by the New York State Attorney General's Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) and the New York State Police. The 18-month investigation began with a probe into the sales of heroin and cocaine on Buffalo's West Side and Riverside sections which have been plagued by drug trafficking.
In May 2005, the Attorney General's office received an anonymous letter from a group of concerned citizens living in the Riverside area complaining about rampant drug dealing which was occurring in that section of the city. Subsequent investigation, including the use of court-authorized wiretaps and undercover work by the OCTF led to the arrests.
In the largest indictment, it is alleged that since November 2004, 19 defendants collectively possessed and sold heroin and cocaine in Erie, Niagara and Orleans counties. The various charges against these individuals include Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, a class "A" felony; Conspiracy in the Second Degree, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance; all are class "B" felonies.
Charged in the indictment are:
Heriberto "Eddie" Rodriguez, 31; Maria "Milly" Perez, 30; Luis "Wichie" Montanez, 27; Emmanuel "Manny" Santos, 23; Omar Montanez, 24; Andres "Papito" Gilbert, 20; Jesus Verdejo, 22; Luis "Piloto" Luna, 18; Jose "Flaco" Vega, 41; Raymond Torres, 35; Joann Bedell-Torres, 46; Ruben Miranda, 29; Lorrie Main, 38; Patrick Szczygiel, 36; all of Buffalo.
Also charged are: Lisa Callara, 34, of Medina; Ryan Smith, 25, of Niagara Falls; Dave Uebelhoer, 35, of Cheektowaga; and Billy Vazquez, 21, of Rochester.
The indictment charges Vazquez, with supplying heroin to Heriberto Rodriquez who along with Maria Perez , Jesus Verdejo and Luis Luna would store, cut, package and sell the drugs from a residence and garage in Riverside and another residence in South Buffalo. During the course of the investigation, police recovered over one kilogram of heroin with an estimated street value of $250,000; and over 60 grams of cocaine with an estimated street value of $6,500.
If convicted of the most serious charges, Billy Vazquez could face 20 years in state prison; all other defendants could face up to nine years in state prison.
The other seven indictments allege conduct occurring between August 2005, and December, 2005. The arrested defendants in those cases are: Fernando"Guayo" Mercado, 28; Jose "Josian" Gautier, 26; Carmen Vazquez, 27; Miguel A. Castillo, 26; and Ruben "Peco" Rivera, 30, all of Buffalo, they are alleged to have sold heroin and cocaine to an undercover police officer at various locations throughout Erie County and face charges of criminal sale and possession of a controlled substance.
A Grand Jury also indicted Mercado for endangering the welfare of a child, a class "A" misdemeanor, for allegedly possessing and selling cocaine to an undercover officer in front of a child. Each defendant faces up to nine years in state prison.
Frank Guzzo, 36, of Grand Island, was also arrested. He was charged in a felony complaint with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the second degree, a class "A" felony. Guzzo could face ten years in state prison.
Richard G. Chudzik, 49, of Lake View, was also arrested and charged in a felony complaint with conspiracy in the second degree. Chudzik could face nine years in state prison. 1-30-06
© 2005 North
Country Gazette
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