FBI Announces Narcotics Arrests

Today, Richard W. Kollmar, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Buffalo Field Office, announces the arrests of 11 individuals on federal charges involving narcotics trafficking. In addition to the arrests, law enforcement officers executed four federal and two state search warrants at locations in Buffalo, New York, and Sloan, New York

Today’s arrests and searches stem from a long term, joint investigation by the FBI Buffalo Division Safe Streets Task Force (SSTF). The federal charges are detailed in an eight count indictment, which includes allegations of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine, cocaine base and marijuana; the possession and distribution of cocaine, cocaine base and marijuana; and maintaining a drug involved premises.

The defendants have initial appearances today in front of the Honorable United States Magistrate Hugh B. Scott. This matter will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael L. McCabe, under the direction of United States Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr.

It should be noted that the fact that an individual has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation; the individual is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

DEFENDANT’S NAME

DATE OF BIRTH

ADDRESS

1.   Charles “Kris” Palmer

 12/31/1963

 East Ferry, Buffalo

2.   George Krajas

 10/10/1968

 Griffith, Sloan

3.   Vunnal Blair

 03/23/1956

 Florida St, Buffalo

4.   Aleathea Stone

 10/19/1971

 Alma, Buffalo

5.   Charles Palmer, Jr.

 10/13/1983

 Person St, Buffalo

6.   Gregory Miller

 12/25/1964

 East Parade, Buffalo

7.   Christopher Carluccio

 06/30/1974

 Cazenovia St, Buffalo

8.   Michael Smerka

 11/18/1956

 Ryan St, Buffalo

9.   William “Bart” Alexander

 07/02/1964

 Fillmore Ave, Buffalo

10.  James Simmons

 05/05/1974

 Maple Ave, Machias

11. Timothy Borkowski

 04/22/1967

 Hammerschmidt, Buffalo

SEARCH WARRANT RESIDENCE/BUSINESS

2307 Broadway, Sloan

 AJ Auto Sales 

226 Griffith, Sloan

 George Krajas

218 East Ferry, Buffalo

 Charles Palmer

263 Florida St, Buffalo

 Vunnal Blair

581 Goodyear Ave, Buffalo*

 

500 Goodyear Ave, Buffalo*

 

*State search warrants

THE FBI—Safe Streets Task Force is comprised of:

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives

New York State Police

New York State Parole

Erie County Sheriff’s Office

Erie County Probation Department

Buffalo Police Department

Amherst Police Department

Cheektowaga Police Department

In addition to the SSTF members, the following agencies assisted with today’s arrests and searches:

United States Marshals Service

Drug Enforcement Administration

Erie County District Attorney’s Office

West Seneca Police Department