STAFF REPORTS
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BUFFALO — Miguel Manso, 46, of Buffalo who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin, was sentenced to 60 months in prison by Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny. In addition, Judge Skretny sentenced Ellis Colon, 32, also of Buffalo, to time served for his conviction of misprision of a felony.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Wei Xiang, who handled the sentencing, stated that the defendants were members of a gang known as the Loiza Boys which has been distributing heroin and cocaine on Buffalo’s West Side since at least 2006.
The defendants were charged in 2013 along with eight co-conspirators following a long term investigation that involved the interception of telephone calls of the defendants and the use of undercover drug purchases from some of those charged. During the investigation, law enforcement officers seized over 450 grams of heroin, three firearms, and over $70,000 in U.S. currency.
Nine of the 10 defendants have been convicted. Charges are pending against Josbel Garcia. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The sentencings are the culmination of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Adam S. Cohen.
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