Buffalo Man Sentenced on Drug Charges

       BUFFALO, N.Y.--U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that William Smith, 34, of Buffalo, N.Y., who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, was sentenced to 120 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas S. Duszkiewicz, who handled the case, stated that on February 13, 2012, the Buffalo Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration received a telephone call regarding an alleged drug trafficking conspiracy transporting and distributing 50 kilograms a month from Chicago to Buffalo. That information resulted in the arrest of seven defendants, including Smith, all of whom have been convicted.

Also during the investigation, agents seized more than $550,000 in cash, approximately two kilograms of cocaine, other drug paraphernalia, four weapons, and a Ford Mustang.

The conviction is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of James J. Hunt, Acting Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Division.