BUFFALO, N.Y. — Fourteen people are facing charges in connection with the takedown of a drug trafficking ring in Western New York.
A 129-count indictment was unsealed in Erie County Court on Wednesday.
Investigators with the New York State Attorney General's office say the 14 people charged allegedly trafficked more than $250,000 worth of cocaine and thousands of fentanyl pills disguised as Oxycodone throughout Erie and Niagara counties.
During the investigation, police seized more than 1,400 counterfeit prescription “M-30” fentanyl pills, nearly one kilogram of cocaine, a loaded .45 caliber pistol, and more than $4,000 in cash.
According to the DEA, "M-30" pills are designed to look like prescription medicine, and disguised as such, but could contain lethal amounts of fentanyl or methamphetamine.
"They're an adulterated pill on the street, and we've known this for many years," said Cheryll Moore, director of the Erie County Opiate Epidemic Task Force.
With drugs continuing to flow, mostly over the southern border but from other places as well, she says it's up to people to protect themselves
"If you are on prescription medications, get them from a drug store," Moore said. "Don't get a 'good deal' online, and if you are out in a social occasion and someone offers you something, know that things are much different than they were many years ago."
According to Moore, about half of the drug related deaths in Erie County in the past year were due to a combination of cocaine and fentanyl.
"People tend to think that things like cocaine are very social and may not use them all the time, but today they are cut with fentanyl and they're killing people," Moore said.
Though ideally people would stay away from drugs entirely, Moore knows they don't, and that with the holidays coming up, provided a timely reminder about parties where drugs may be shared.
"If you are going to imbibe, and I'd prefer that you didn't, make sure you have Narcan, make sure you have fentanyl test strips, and make sure you are with a friend. … We don't want anyone else to die because we are losing too many people," she said.
According to the indictment, Charles Sims allegedly purchased large quantities of cocaine from Musa Ramadan, Tevin Jeter, Eric Richmond, and others. The indictment says 'Sims then allegedly supplied large quantities of cocaine for resale to Michael McPhee, Devon Jones (a/k/a “Dutch”), Gregory Miller, and others. Miller, who is now deceased, obtained large quantities of counterfeit prescription “M-30” fentanyl pills from Michael Clark Jr., who then supplied the pills for resale to Anthony Fugate and others.' The indictment also alleges 'Tajine Benning, a customer of Sims, was the subject of a traffic stop that led to the recovery of a loaded .45 caliber pistol.'
“DEA investigates criminal networks, worldwide and locally, who are responsible for fueling drug poisonings and violent crime,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. “This particular investigation highlights how drug traffickers use social media and violence to further their illegal business, leaving damaged communities in their wake. I commend the DEA Buffalo District Office-Tactical Diversion Squad, New York State Police, and the New York State Attorney General’s Office for their diligent work throughout this investigation.”