CRIME
Drug distribution network is focus of raids
Published: November 18, 2009, 12:30 am
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“Tires and rims” and “haircut” were code words for drug transactions at a South Buffalo auto sales business a short distance from an elementary school and at a West Side barber shop.
Some of the cocaine that was distributed from those businesses was mailed from Puerto Rico to several locations in Buffalo and then resold in the city and suburbs, authorities said Tuesday.
Twenty-five of the 28 individuals charged in a 213-count indictment were arrested in early-morning raids Tuesday or later surrendered when they learned they were wanted.
Thirty ounces of cocaine, $10,300 in cash, a 2002 BMW and a Chevy Suburban also were confiscated as a result of the yearlong investigation dubbed “Operation Mechanics.”
Robin Baker, of the state attorney general’s office, said the bust has dented the flow of drugs coming into Western New York.
Jeremy Hall, 31, whose last known address was in Amherst, was described as a high-level drug dealer who had cocaine shipped to him from Puerto Rico by way of the U. S. Postal Service, Baker said.
Hall then sold it to Dennis Matos, 27, of Buffalo, who, in turn, sold it to Mark Lorenz, 37, of West Seneca, the operator of Lorenz Auto Sales, 466 Southside Parkway.
Lorenz, described as the main hub in the distribution network, and his co-defendants were caught on wiretaps stating there was “a car” they were going “to look at” when arranging drug sales.
Because his business is within 1,000 feet of Southside Elementary School, some of the charges against him and others will carry more severe penalties. Authorities added that there was no evidence students or school staff were affected by the transactions.
Words like “tires and rims” referred to ounces of cocaine. As for “haircut,” Matos used the phrase, “getting a haircut,” to arrange cocaine sales at Bebe’z, a barbershop on the 100 block of Grant Street where he cut hair.
Another location that frequently comes up in the 106-page indictment is 2259 South Park Ave., Buffalo. Francisco Maymi, 45, of Buffalo, indirectly mentions the address, which is the home of Ronald Steves, 44, by saying to other defendants that he was “playing cards at Ronnie’s.”
The narcotics sweep, which involved local and out-of-state drug dealers and users, was headed by the state attorney general’s Organized Crime Task Force with police from Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Lancaster and state troopers assisting at busts throughout the region.
Daniel Kroll, 46, of Belmont, N. J., was expected to surrender today, while the investigation is continuing in Puerto Rico, where no arrests have been made.
“Operation Mechanics” was a spinoff from another drug investigation that task force members and state police had handled. A tip from an informant put the focus on the Buffalo Niagara region.
In addition to cocaine, the dealers were selling stolen prescription drugs that included Percocet, Lortab and Valium, said Baker, executive deputy attorney general for criminal justice.
At a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Baker, Mayor Byron W. Brown and Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III spoke of the roundup as a way of making the community safer.
Others charged in the indictment are: Carl Block, 47, of West Seneca; Dawn Maliszewski, 41, of Buffalo; Fleming Shelby, 44, of Cheektowaga, whose whereabouts are unknown; Gayle Lemieux, 53, of Cheektowaga; Gregory Keller, 60, of West Seneca; and Hector Bocanegra, 31, of North Tonawanda.
Also, James Offhaus, 38, of Lancaster; James Cramer, 44, of North Tonawanda; Jeffrey Brown, 35, of Cheektowaga, whose whereabouts are unknown; Joseph Maxwell, 48, of Buffalo; Kevin Danieu, 46, of Derby; Kimberly Raymond, 39, of Buffalo; Lorenzo Rodriguez, 27, address unknown; and Lucy DelValle, 52, of Buffalo.
And, Matthew Bruenn, 24, of Buffalo; Michael Gossling, 43, of Angola; Narciso Rodriguez Jr., 42, of Lackawanna; Patricia Harding, 42, of Lackawanna; Paul Andrzejak, 49, of Cheektowaga; Shirley Lopez, 33, of Buffalo; Stephanie Nowak, 21, of Hamburg; and Viyakone Phakkhonkham, 27, of Buffalo.
lmichel@buffnews.com
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