Authorities announce major drug bust on Buffalo's west side
A major drug bust on Buffalo's west side netted heroin, hundreds of thousands of dollars and weapons. YNN's Antoinette DelBel has more on the arrest and what law enforcement has to say for others who break the law.
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BUFFALO, N.Y. — A substantial amount of cash and drugs found at a house on Garner Avenue led to the arrest of 51-year-old George Torres.
"We recovered $368,000 in cash, more than a quarter kilo of heroin and three loaded handguns," said Daniel Derenda, Buffalo Police Commissioner.
A six-month-long investigation led to the drug bust Tuesday night.
Residents on Garner Avenue, who did not want to go on camera, say Torres kept to himself and they had no idea he was what federal law enforcement call a high end drug dealer.
"The cash, drugs, and weapons recovered makes Buffalo a little bit safer," said Christopher Piehota, FBI.
Torres' arrest was a joint effort between state, federal and local law enforcement, who say he had been dealing heroin and marijuana primarily on the West Side for many years. Thursday, those officials had a message for those who break the law.
"If you're thinking of selling drugs or engaging frankly in any criminal conduct," said U.S. Attorney William Hochul, "you will get found out, you will get caught and if convicted, serve a very long time in jail."
Torres faces several federal charges that carry a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment.