U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross | U.S. Department of Justice
Two individuals from Buffalo, New York, have been arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, according to an announcement made by U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross on August 21, 2024. Edwin Santana-Cosme, 56, and Arieana Garcia Del Gado, 37, face charges that carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Louis A. Testani, who is handling the case, stated that the charges stem from an incident on August 17, 2024. On that date, the New York State Police conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Santana-Cosme with Del Gado as the passenger. During the stop, Santana-Cosme hesitated to pull over while Del Gado appeared to move an unknown object behind the driver’s seat.
After stopping the vehicle, the defendants provided conflicting stories about their travel. A K9 unit was brought in and alerted officers to narcotics in two boxes located behind the driver’s seat. The boxes were searched and found to contain two vacuum-sealed packages of suspected fentanyl. Both Santana-Cosme and Del Gado were subsequently arrested and taken into custody.
The investigation was carried out by the Drug Enforcement Administration under Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarentino and the New York State Police under Major Stanley Edwards III.
It is important to note that being charged with a crime is merely an accusation; both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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