BUFFALO, N.Y.-Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Juan Oliverias-Arbelo, 28, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin, was sentenced to 24 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan A. Tokash, who handled the case, stated that between July 2014, and Sept. 28, 2015, the defendant became active in a heroin distribution organization. On 12 occasions, Oliverias-Arbelo sold heroin to undercover officers. In total, the undercover officers 51 bags of heroin. On each occasion, the undercover officer and Oliverias-Arbelo would make contact by telephone to arrange a controlled purchase of heroin. The defendant utilized a phone provided to him by the organization. Oliverias-Arbelo was intercepted by law enforcement utilizing a phone to sell heroin to other individuals as well, during this time period.
The 10 defendants charged in this case were street-level distributors or “runners" in a heroin distribution organization operated by Daniel Molina-Rios who was arrested in June 2015 along with Orlando Rios, Luis Montanez and Jose Andujar. The organization acquired heroin from the New York City area for distribution in Buffalo but also had an alternate heroin source locally. A total of 14 defendants have been indicted in connection with this case, eight have been convicted. Charges are pending against the remaining defendants. 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.
The sentencing 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; the New York State Police Community Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET), under the direction of Major David Krause and Lieutenant Kevin Reyes, CNET West Commander; and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
