Buffalo Woman Arrested On Cocaine Charges

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.-Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Elisa Rivera Ortiz, 36, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with attempted 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 Michael J. Adler, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on April 8, 2017, United States Postal Inspectors intercepted a package during a routine inspection of incoming parcels that contained cocaine. The package was addressed to the defendant. On June 30, 2017, inspectors found narcotics inside a second package intended for Ortiz.

On July 6, 2017, a controlled delivery of a package containing sham cocaine and a monitoring device was conducted at the defendant’s Warren Avenue residence. Once the monitor altered investigators that the package had been opened, they entered the residence and executed a search warrant. Ortiz attempted to run out the side door but was taken into custody.

During the search, investigators located the package of sham cocaine, drug packaging materials, a digital scale with suspected cocaine residue, and a small bag of marijuana. Ortiz’s son and three other minor children were in the residence at the time.

The defendant made an initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was released.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Boston Division Inspector in Charge Shelly Binkowski.

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.