Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Dozens of weapons, thousands of rounds of ammo and an amount of illegal drugs are all off the streets of Buffalo following a targeted raid and search warrant at a Wright Avenue home.
Buffalo Police, Erie County Sheriff's and federal law enforcement agencies worked together in executing a warrant and seizing 53 weapons and resulting in at least five arrests.
"We're going after the right people," said Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia Friday. "We know who they are. We know where they are. We're going to be very specific about who we're targeting." Gramaglia has been outspoken in voicing concerns about gun violence since taking over the department's top job this year.
A total of 18 handguns, four assault weapons and 31 shotguns and rifles were confiscated in the raid. At least three of the weapons recovered are identified as 'ghost guns'.
All five defendants have not been formally arraigned yet, But Erie County District Attorney John Flynn reports 29-year-old Joshua Gotthart of Buffalo was arraigned this morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Kevin J. Keane on one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class "C" violent felony), three counts of Criminal Possession of a Firearm (Class "E" felonies) and one count of Unlawful Wearing of a Body Vest (Class "E" felony).
Flynn says nvestigators observed the defendant, who was the subject of a search warrant, leave his residence on Wright Avenue in the City of Buffalo and drive away in a vehicle. A traffic stop was initiated nearby where the defendant was taken into custody without incident. Investigators allegedly found an illegal loaded handgun, considered a "ghost gun," in a holster on the defendant's right hip. The defendant, who is accused of committing a felony offense by being in possession of the illegal firearm, was allegedly wearing a bullet-resistant body vest at the time of his arrest.
Buffalo Police executed the search warrant at the defendant's residence where they allegedly recovered three unregistered handguns inside of a bedroom. Investigators also allegedly found numerous rifles, shotguns and magazines as well as gun-making tools and a large amount of ammunition in various locations inside of the house.
Additional arraignments in the case are expected Saturday morning.
Flynn applauded the joint law enforcement effort which also involved the ATF.
