STAFF REPORTS
BUFFALO — Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Ramone Westbrook, 27, Rico Freeman, 33, Corey Bradberry, 34, all of Niagara Falls; and Darius Dix, aka Darius Jenkins, 27, of Lockport, were arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to possess and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan A. Tokash, who is handling the case, stated that between April 2016, and May 2017, the defendants are accused of operating a wide-scale cocaine distribution network in Niagara Falls and Lockport. According to the complaint, the investigation utilized court ordered wiretaps as well as a dozen undercover purchases.
Law enforcement officers executed seven search warrant on houses and vehicles utilized by the defendants. During the search warrants, officers recovered a quantity of cocaine, marijuana, $75,000 in cash and drug paraphernalia.
The defendants made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. and being held pending detention hearings on June 2, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.
“By following the destructive trail of these violent traffickers, law enforcement uncovered and shut down a regional drug source of supply,” stated DEA Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt. “I commend our law enforcement partners on their diligent efforts in this investigation.”
