Arrested 36 Buffalo-area suspects on felony cocaine distribution charges

A year-long investigation involving undercover surveillance and wiretaps has led to the arrests of 36 Buffalo-area suspects on felony cocaine distribution charges.
The suspects have been the focus of local, state, and federal law enforcement scrutiny for months. They are accused of operating a cocaine distribution ring from a number of locations in Buffalo, the towns of Amherst and Clarence, and Lockport.
Their illegal drug-dealing activities, according to investigators, were mainly concentrated in Erie County's northtowns. Telephone wiretaps were key to the successful dismantling of this cocaine trafficking organization, according to U.S. Attorney Terrance Flynn."Based upon the state wiretaps, in the past year law enforcement was able to identify these 36 individuals, who were specifically selling and distributing cocaine, as well as marijuana and possibly other drugs," said Flynn.
At its height, the ring was netting about $10,000 a week in illegal drug sales.
The suspects have been arraigned. If convicted, they could receive up to 20 years in prison and/or be fined up to one million dollars.