BUFFALO, NY - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced Wednesday the largest heroin bust in Buffalo history.
Fifteen people were arrested as part of a multi-agency investigation that was code-named "Operation Horse Trail".
The 51-count indictment accuses the suspects of taking part in a drug distribution network that routinely trafficked heroin from the Bronx to Buffalo for distribution.
The 11-month-long operation was led by the New York State Attorney General's Organized Crime Task Force and the State Police, and included undercover operations as well as wiretaps.
The Attorney General's office says more than seven kilograms of heroin, with an estimated street value of $3.5 million, and more than $45,000 in cash were seized.
The suspects are accused of transporting the heroin to an apartment in Buffalo's Delaware District where it was prepared for distribution.
The 51-count indictment charges 15 individuals with crimes including Operating as a Major Trafficker, and various counts of Criminal Sale and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (class A and B felonies), and conspiracy to commit those crimes.
The Operating as a Major Trafficker statute went into effect last year as part of changes to the Rockefeller-era drug laws and is the only felony narcotics charge in the state that carries a possible life sentence.
Those charged in the Erie County indictment are:
Eury Rodriguez, a/k/a Omar Javier Marquez Baergas, a/k/a Omar Marquez, a/k/a Omar Baergas, a/k/a Jesus Polanco, a/k/a Angel Navarro; age 32 of New York, NY
Luis M. Sime; age 43, Bronx , NY
Fernando Rodriguez; age 45, Buffalo, NY
Edwin Gomez, a/k/a Edward Gomez, a/k/a "Baba"; age 32, Bronx, NY
Jose Garcia, a/k/a "Markito"; age 49, Bronx, NY
Milady Gonzalez; age 42, Buffalo, NY
Carlos Jimenez; age 39, Buffalo, NY
Jonathan Rivera; age 23, Buffalo, NY
Nathaniel Jimenez; age 21, of Puerto Rico
Dario Rivera, a/k/a "Indio"; age 31, of Buffalo, NY
Juan Ortiz, A/K/A "Bebe"; age 31, address unknown
Richard Alequin, a/k/a "Rico", a/k/a "Indio"; age 51, of Buffalo, NY
Yadhira Ramos; age 34 of Teaneck, New Jersey
Friezy Dejesus Almanzar Castillo, a/k/a Freizy Almanzar, a/k/a Jose Vasquez; age 26, of Buffalo, NY
Anthony Fernandez, age 20, of Buffalo, NY
"Drug traffickers destroy our communities and wreak havoc on families across the state," said Attorney General Schneiderman. "This investigation has shut down a major pipeline of illegal drugs coming into Western New York. I want to thank our partners in law enforcement - the State Police, Erie County Sheriff's Department, the City of Buffalo Police Department and the US Border Patrol - for working with us to get these deadly narcotics off the streets so they no longer infect our neighborhoods."
New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D'Amico said, "The interagency cooperation of the various law enforcement partners demonstrated in this investigation has resulted in the elimination of a major pipeline of heroin to the Western New York region."