California Man Indicted On Multiple Drug Charges

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

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging David Katz, 55, of Chula Vista, CA, with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and one kilogram or more of heroin, attempted possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, and attempted possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, and a maximum of life. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremiah E. Lenihan, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and information presented in court, on June 7, 2017, Homeland Security Investigations Special Agents seized two kilograms of heroin in Phoenix, AZ, and another 10 kilograms of cocaine in Buffalo, NY. Subsequent investigation revealed that the defendant funded a portion of the heroin and drove the heroin from California to the area of Phoenix, AZ. Katz also helped fund a portion of the cocaine that was seized in Buffalo. During the investigation, the defendant discussed with an undercover investigator, the sale of a portion of a warehouse he owns in Chula Vista, in an attempt to fund large quantity narcotics transactions. 

Katz is currently detained in California and will be brought to the Western District of New York at a later date. 

The indictment is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.

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.  

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