23 arrested in drug raids in Niagara Falls region

21 people arrested during marijuana

A yearlong investigation of marijuana smuggling from Canada into Western New York culminated Wednesday when more than 140 law enforcement agents in Erie and Niagara Falls and Niagara counties raided 14 locations and arrested 21 people.
The arrests were a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation under the direction of U.S. Immigration and customs agents in the Department of Homeland Security in Buffalo.
About 10 to 12 pounds of marijuana, a small amount of cocaine, about $100,000 in cash and about 30 guns were seized in the raids conducted in Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Tonawanda, Williamsville and Amherst, said Peter J. Smith, special agent in charge of the operation.
“We believe we made the hit when they were getting ready to make a drug run to Canada,” Smith said.
Eight to 10 seizures of a high grade hydroponic marijuana, tied to the drug ring, have been made by border officials during the past year and a half, and about $200,000, have been seized at border bridges, Smith said.
The Peace, Rainbow and Lewiston-Queenston bridges were all used by members of the drug operation, he said. No arrests were made in Canada.
“This was a criminal enterprise which developed a sophisticated drug smuggling and distribution network in Western New York,” said Smith.“No one agency was big enough for this type of raid, and that is why state, local and federal agencies were all called in.

Homeland Security agents were assisted by officers from the State Police and Niagara County Falls, Buffalo and Amherst police departments, and officers with Agency and Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
Acting U.S Attorney Kathleen M. Mehltretter said all 21 people were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, cocaine, hallucinogenic mushrooms and amphetamines, and use of telephone to commit a drug felony. The charges carry penalties of up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $1 million if convicted.

The following were charged in the complaint:

Larry Masich, 26, of Amherst; Craig Waldeck, 26, of Niagara Falls; Micheal Schelb, 23, of Bridgeville, Pa; Patrick Dolan, 25, of Buffalo; Daniel and Mark Masich, 29 and 27 respectively, both of Tonawanda; Joshua Bluman, 28, of Williamsville; Christopher Rathman, 29, of Grand Island; Ariel Rodriguez, 26, of Buffalo; Francisco Pichardo, 27, of the Bronx; David Lilly, 40, of Tonawanda; Karl Maurer, 27, of Tonawanda; Daniel Santillo, 30, of Buffalo; David McCall, 26, of Orchard Park; Valerie Lindemuth, 27, of North Tonawanda; Shawna Bacon, 22, of Tonawanda; Jonathon Franco, 26, of Amherst;David Kohler, 26, of East Amherst; and Greg Syposs, 27, of Niagara Falls.

Dolan was also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by felon.
Mehtretter said that the complaint charges the defendents with conspiring between April 2005 and July 2005 to sell marijuana, cocaine, psychedelic mushrooms and Adderall, prescription medication that contains amphetamine.

By Nancy A. Fischer

Are there any updates on this case?

21 people arrested during marijuana

A yearlong investigation of marijuana smuggling from Canada into Western New York culminated Wednesday when more than 140 law enforcement agents in Erie and Niagara Falls and Niagara counties raided 14 locations and arrested 21 people.
The arrests were a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation under the direction of U.S. Immigration and customs agents in the Department of Homeland Security in Buffalo.
About 10 to 12 pounds of marijuana, a small amount of cocaine, about $100,000 in cash and about 30 guns were seized in the raids conducted in Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Tonawanda, Williamsville and Amherst, said Peter J. Smith, special agent in charge of the operation.
“We believe we made the hit when they were getting ready to make a drug run to Canada,” Smith said.
Eight to 10 seizures of a high grade hydroponic marijuana, tied to the drug ring, have been made by border officials during the past year and a half, and about $200,000, have been seized at border bridges, Smith said.
The Peace, Rainbow and Lewiston-Queenston bridges were all used by members of the drug operation, he said. No arrests were made in Canada.
“This was a criminal enterprise which developed a sophisticated drug smuggling and distribution network in Western New York,” said Smith.“No one agency was big enough for this type of raid, and that is why state, local and federal agencies were all called in.

Homeland Security agents were assisted by officers from the State Police and Niagara County Falls, Buffalo and Amherst police departments, and officers with Agency and Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
Acting U.S Attorney Kathleen M. Mehltretter said all 21 people were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, cocaine, hallucinogenic mushrooms and amphetamines, and use of telephone to commit a drug felony. The charges carry penalties of up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $1 million if convicted.

The following were charged in the complaint:

Larry Masich, 26, of Amherst; Craig Waldeck, 26, of Niagara Falls; Micheal Schelb, 23, of Bridgeville, Pa; Patrick Dolan, 25, of Buffalo; Daniel and Mark Masich, 29 and 27 respectively, both of Tonawanda; Joshua Bluman, 28, of Williamsville; Christopher Rathman, 29, of Grand Island; Ariel Rodriguez, 26, of Buffalo; Francisco Pichardo, 27, of the Bronx; David Lilly, 40, of Tonawanda; Karl Maurer, 27, of Tonawanda; Daniel Santillo, 30, of Buffalo; David McCall, 26, of Orchard Park; Valerie Lindemuth, 27, of North Tonawanda; Shawna Bacon, 22, of Tonawanda; Jonathon Franco, 26, of Amherst;David Kohler, 26, of East Amherst; and Greg Syposs, 27, of Niagara Falls.

Dolan was also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by felon.
Mehtretter said that the complaint charges the defendents with conspiring between April 2005 and July 2005 to sell marijuana, cocaine, psychedelic mushrooms and Adderall, prescription medication that contains amphetamine.

By Nancy A. Fischer

Does anyone have any updates on this one.

How come there aren't any updates on these cases. What happens to the drugs, monies and firearms that are confiscated.

The people?
You know NF cops have the best dope

I'll tell you of one person who just got away with it because he's mom just happens to know some big wig that works for the state. I beleive he was appointed as a defense lawyer for the state. Not only that this whole catch and release is all just for entertainment. They don't actually put pressure on these defendants instead they go after innocent people who may have information or just happen to know one of these people by misfortune.

When I say information I mean this persons character.

Its amazing how the state can overlook witnesses to testify against this man. Especially one who has lived with this defendent for 6yrs. I guess they wait until they can build up a strong defense for this slimball and show character flaws in the witnesses testimony or maybe yet go after the witness by falsifying their background by creating a monster like image. I not only have been fighting to clear my name but now I have to fear the cartels who watch and wait in the midst.
Our judicial system is a failure they coddle the wrongdoer while they vehemently ruin an innocent persons life.

What a coincedence that soon after posting this now I'm getting a phone call from a collection agency that claims that my house number was used to open up an account under some lady's name and that the account is overdo. Could someone be trying to build a character assassin on me. Someone really has it out for me. Someone that doesn't want the truth out.

By the way I've had people scoping me out at the stores when I go shopping with my kids. They wait until we get to the door, walk out at the same time and set off the alarms. Is this some new way of scaming people or just another way for the wonderful people of Albuquerque to harrass us.I know who is behind this because this has been an ongoing thing since I've lived here.

I hate when that happens

Why is it whenever a certain element is involved in crime newsdays page almost always will be unavailable when you go to read the story? Strange days indeed

Its really sad that people are finding the most unscrupulous ways to scam fellow Americans. Be careful when answering to any call asking for personal information. Be very leary when they start asking for your social security number never give this over the phone. There should be some way to report this type of activity either to the Feds or Better Business Bureaus.
There should be someone to alert the public of these criminal enterprises that prey on the vulnurable especially the elderly.
Its sad to think that our society has gotten so immuned and impenitent when commiting this type of activity towards one another. I really don't see much hope for our nations future.

420 Sheriff wrote:

me niether why don't you end yours now?

Its people like yourself that should think twice about ending your life you peice of Sh-t! I will fight tooth and nail before I give up my life for a bunch of scumbags who decide to be on the wrong side of the law. Either you are an accomplice of these no do gooders or you simple think like one.
Its pretty sad that it takes one voice to speak for something that is obviously flawed. You clearly have no backbone or courage to face the incideous misreprestation that our laws are governed by. The women always seem to get the saft in many instances when these men decide to engage themselves in criminal activities. I absolutely had no part in any of this but yet I am hunted down like a predator looking for its
next meal.
So stop hiding behind your aka name if your brave enough give me your real name you yellow bellied pondscum.
Its American citizens like yourself who are infesting our society with unquestionable unconsciousness. Greed is your icon at what ever cost it may take to achieve this. Fate will be your demise this is inevitable.

I just wrote a piece that readers should read but was exempted from being posted. Unbelieveable!

420 Sheriff wrote:
<q
Wow,some job the editor is doing. You can literally make a threat and its posted but yet when I try to bring out the truth and awareness its been deleted. Thats okay this can always be traced.
By the way this sounds very personal. I knew I could get you out in the open.
Now I'm being told to refrain from posting offensive material. Someone should look into the moderator if this guy can post and make threats.

By the way you still haven't exposed your true name. No need to its obvious I striked a chord with 420Sheriff. Theres no need for threats you've got your accomplices down here doing their part.

420 Sheriff wrote:

go play a game of goFuckyourself

Wow, I take it this is a one player only game. Is this the best you can do! It doesn't take much intellect to come up with that one.

420 Sheriff wrote:

Ha Ha Ha Terri you are such a loser

It takes one to know one!

Since my postings I have been recieving phone calls from collection agencies looking for people
other then myself or family members looking to collect a debt. Someone is making a very strong effort to criminalize myself I believe. I get harrassing phone calls from different agencies at least once or twice a week now. I've asked my former husband to have our number changed and specifically unlisted which he did not do and yet they routinely make an effort to call anyways.
When are credit card companies going to be held accountable for making sure that the information they are recieving from people seeking to open up credit card accounts are true and factual. My phone number is now being used under false pretenses and I would like to know what I can do to prevent this from happening time and time again.

we made madd money..