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Mayor Brown & BPD Announce Series of Drug Raids

BUFFALO– Mayor Byron W. Brown and Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda today announced that the Buffalo Police Department Narcotics Unit and SWAT Team completed another phase of their relentless attack on illegal drugs and guns, after a two-day series of raids throughout the City of Buffalo. The raids were conducted between February 14-15, and designated “Operation Heartbreaker” because the process began on Valentine’s Day.

During the two-day period, 101 search warrants were executed. In 2005, before Mayor Brown took office, the Buffalo Police Department executed 135 for the entire year.

Overall crime continues to decline in Buffalo, with violent crime dropping 8% this past year versus 2009 and overall crime declining 11.4% since Mayor Brown took office. This past year, the Buffalo Police Department seized 859 illegal guns, bringing the total to over 7,000 guns removed from city streets since 2006.

"I am pleased with another successful series of drug raids that have taken drug dealers and illegal drugs and guns off of Buffalo’s streets,” said Mayor Brown. “The Buffalo Police Department and the many contributing law enforcement agencies have made a significant impact on crime in Buffalo, and these large scale raids will continue in all areas of the city. As I stated in my State of the City Address, My message to drug dealers and other criminals is very clear: find a new line of work or go to jail."

There were several agencies that assisted in the Buffalo Police Department’s efforts:

• SWAT Teams: Amherst PD, Cheektowaga PD, Erie County Sheriff’s Department, Hamburg PD, Lancaster PD, Niagara Falls PD, the NFTA, Orchard Park PD and the Town of Tonawanda PD.
• K-9 Squads: Cheektowaga PD, Erie County Sheriff’s Department, Lewiston PD, Niagara County Sheriff’s Department, New York State PD and the Town of Tonawanda PD.
• Other supporting agencies: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), US Marshals, Lancaster PD, Lackawanna PD, Hamburg PD, Town of Tonawanda PD, Erie County Sheriff’s Department and Border Patrol.

"This massive operation was a collaborative effort between multiple law enforcement agencies,” said Buffalo Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda. “It is because of effective cooperation among all of the units that we were able carry out over 100 search warrants. I look forward to continuing to work together with these agencies to apprehend the criminals in our city."

In this latest round of raids, a total of 54 arrests were made. An additional 15 arrests are pending further investigation. Police confiscated just over 5 pounds of marijuana, 5.5 ounces of crack/powder cocaine, heroin, and assorted prescription pills. Also seized were 9 shotguns/rifles, 2 handguns and almost $10,000 in cash.

Operation IMPACT funding was once again made available for the execution of these search warrants throughout the city. The Department is grateful to the state Division of Criminal Justice Services for this funding source, which allows local law enforcement to have an impact on illegal gangs, guns and drug activity in Buffalo.