BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN)....A multi-law enforcement agency investigation that began last fall has resulted with 13 people arrested and indicted on narcotics and firearms charges.
The June 25 raid in Buffalo, Cheektowaga and North Tonawanda had police agencies finding caches controlled substances like cocaine and fentanyl along with large supplies of marijuana and firearms.
"That's 13 drug dealers who are no longer in business," said U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo.
DiGiacomo said the raids were on West Avenue in Buffalo, Cleveland Drive in Cheektowaga and Sweeney Street in North Tonawanda.
The investigation began after FBI agents could wind of the dealers and their steady flow of business, said Allen Davis II, FBI special agent in charge of the Buffalo Field Office.
"Our work, however, is not over," Davis said.
The FBI's "Operation Summer Heat" is continuing with its investigation.
"Our mission is to take violent criminals," Davis said.
Arrested and indicted are:
* Terrence Phillips, 35 of Buffalo.
Phillips is also known by his street names of Marlo and G-35.
* Alexis Rivera, 31 of Buffalo -- also known as AR 31
* Jamel Joshua Cunningham, or Jazzo, 40 of Cheektowaga
* Rokym Knox, aka Tommy or Roddy, 32 of Buffalo
* Kyle Phillips, also known as Bruce, 30 of Buffalo
* Daiija Mellerson, 33, of Cheektowaga
* Alazee Smith, 29, of Buffalo
* Ashley Johnson, 34, of Lancaster
* Fernando Mercado-Vazquez, 28 of Buffalo
In separate charges and indictments are:
Omar Ali, 33, of Buffalo
* Kairo Machido-Arguedas, 26 of Buffalo
Luthor Jones, 33, of Buffalo
* Ahmand Elabed, 41, of Buffalo.
If convicted the defendants could be facing up to 40 years in jail.
Defendants could face up to 40 years in jail
Defendants could face up to 40 years in jail
