Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Erie County Sheriff's Office announced on Tuesday the arrest of a 39-year-old Buffalo man after a year-long countywide narcotics investigation.
Donel Cathcart was arrested Monday after the Sheriff's Office Narcotics and Intelligence Unit received an anonymous tip about a year ago from a concerned citizen that individuals from the City of Buffalo were trafficking large amounts of cocaine and fentanyl onto the Seneca Nation of Indians, Cattaraugus Reservation.
An investigation was initiated, which revealed that Cathcart was operating in two residences located in South Buffalo on 190 Whitehall Avenue, as well as at 32 Benson Avenue in West Seneca.
Upon the execution of the search warrants signed by Judge Paul Wojtaszek, the Sheriff's Office Narcotics and Intelligence Unit went to work taking Cathcart into custody after leaving his Whitehall Avenue residence and being observed committing a a vehicle violation.
Cathcart produced a quantity of crack cocaine, cocaine and fentanyl upon his arrest. After search warrants were then executed at both residences, officials recovered additional large amounts of cocaine, crack cocaine and fentanyl, along with packaging, scales, cutting agents and more than $300,000 cash.
Cathcart was transported to the Erie County Holding Center, where he was arraigned Tuesday afternoon before Buffalo City Court Judge Diane Wray.
He is facing the following charges:
- Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (8 ounces or more) in the First Degree (Class "A-I" felony);
- Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell in the Third Degree (Class "B" felony);
- Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (Narcotics) in the Third Degree (Class "B" felony);
- One count of Criminal Possession of a Narcotic Drug in the Fourth Degree (Class "C" felony);
- One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine) in the Fourth Degree (Class "B" felony);
- One count of Tampering with Physical Evidence (Class "E" felony);
- Six counts of Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia (Class "B" misdemeanor).
Cathcart is scheduled to return for a felony hearing on Friday, March 1 at 9:30 a.m. EST. He was held without bail.
He is set to be arraigned in West Seneca Town Court later Tuesday evening.
The Buffalo Police Intelligence Unit, Erie County District Attorny’s Office, and the Homeland Security Investigations BEST Team also assisted the Sheriff's Office in the investigation.