A months-long federal narcotics investigation spanning Buffalo, Cheektowaga and North Tonawanda resulted in the indictment of 13 people accused of operating two separate drug trafficking organizations involving cocaine, crack cocaine, fentanyl, marijuana and firearms.
Federal authorities executed coordinated search warrants on June 25th, seizing illegal drugs, firearms and ammunition from multiple locations while dismantling what prosecutors describe as organized trafficking operations.
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced that Terrence Phillips, Alexis Rivera, Jamel Joshua Cunningham, Rokym Knox, Kyle Phillips, Daija Mellerson, Alazee Smith, Ashley Johnson and Fernando Mercado-Vazquez were indicted on conspiracy charges involving cocaine, crack cocaine and fentanyl. Prosecutors allege the group distributed narcotics from residences on West Avenue in Buffalo and Cleveland Drive in Cheektowaga beginning in September 2025 while also utilizing firearms. Several defendants also face additional charges involving cocaine trafficking, maintaining drug premises and illegal firearm possession…