Grand Jury Indicts Buffalo-based Heroin Ring

Attorney General Spitzer and State Police Superintendent Wayne Bennett today announced that an early morning sweep resulted in the arrest of 40 individuals facing conspiracy and related charges stemming from their involvement in a heroin and cocaine distribution network that linked Buffalo's westside with several New York City suppliers.

Today's arrests were the culmination of an 18-month multi-agency investigation involving the New York State Police Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and the Attorney General's Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF), with assistance from the Queens County District Attorney's Office and the Buffalo Police Department. During the investigation, officers seized more than four and one-half kilograms of heroin, with a street value of more than $1.8 million and more than $86,000 in cash.

"These defendants operated a sophisticated narcotics trafficking business that stretched from one end of the New York State to the other," said Spitzer. "We've cut the cord. And I particularly want to thank the State Police for their dogged work in doing so."

New York State Police Superintendent Wayne Bennett said: "I congratulate the many law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation for their perseverance leading to significant heroin and cash seizures and several arrests. The persistence of the Attorney General's Office in further pursuing and obtaining the indictments of many more conspirators in the heroin distribution operation has led to today's arrests."

The 31-count indictment focuses on Juan Martin Quinones, 24, of Buffalo, and an extended network of alleged co-conspirators and drug distributors based in Western New York. Quinones is charged with obtaining heroin and cocaine both locally and in New York City. Three New York suppliers have been charged: Cecilio Gonzalez, 38; Santiago Mercado, 38; and Cesar Ceballos, 41, all of Queens. They are all in custody and facing prosecution by Queens County District Attorney Richard Brown.

Quinones is also charged with buying heroin from Aurelio Lopez, 46 of Brooklyn, and an associate, Franklin Paulino, 36, of Manhattan. Lopez and Paulino recently pled guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a class "A" felony. They have been sentenced to seven years to life and five years to life, respectively.

Quinones is charged with 24 counts, including 11 counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, and 12 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree. Both are class "B" felonies.

According to the indictment, Quinones also enlisted his parents, Luis Quinones, 50, and his wife, Sharon, 46, in the distribution network. In addition to the conspiracy count, they are also each charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree. It is further alleged that Juan Martin Quinones even used his infant son in the operation, transporting heroin by hiding it in the toddler's clothes. Five additional defendants: Brook Wilson, 33; Daniel Gonzalez, 38; Thomas Gonzalez, 40; Anibal Laracuente, Jr, 22; and Kevin Quiles, 26; all of Buffalo, are each charged with single counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substances in the Third Degree.

Each of the defendants is charged with Conspiracy in the Second Degree. Additionally charged today are:

Manny Acevedo, 20; Fabian Adorno, 44; Issac Adubato, 26; Nourooz Ali, 21; William Andino, 44;
Delawrence Capps, 58; Jessica Colon, 23; Mildred Colon, 43; Alberto Cruz, 32; Luis Cruz, 32; Carol Helfrich, 56; Roberto Martinez, 45; Steven Martinez, 39; Levi McWilson, 38; Maria Carmen Melendez, 42; Yaharia Montavo, 21; Richard Pacheco, 43; Christopher Pesce, 43; Hector Rodriquez, 27; Donald Siler, 52; Donna Soto, 37; Luis Soto, 39; Carmelo Torres, 34; Tevito Torres, 44; Wilson Velasquez, 36; all of Buffalo. Also charged were William Harris, 35; of Dunkirk; and Kenneth Heft, 40; of Hamburg.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Deputy Attorney General Robert J. Lee of the Attorney General's Organized Crime Task Force under the Supervision of Deputy Attorney General Christopher Prather. The investigation was handled by SIU Investigator Shales Caicedo and Senior Investigator Chris Mesi, under the supervision of Lieutenant William Saunders and Major Frank Koehler.