BUFFALO, N.Y. - Buffalo prohibition enforcement agents led by Lieutenant Paul R. Delano Jr. executed a search warrant late Monday night in the city's Riverside section, arresting a resident of a home on Laird St, according to WIVB News.
The resident is charged with felony prohibition violations, as well as criminal possession of a stolen handgun. Agents also seized a shotgun and rifle. According to WIVB, agents seized over 4.5 ounces of powder cocaine.
Before prohibition was enacted, such a quantity would have had only minimal value. But because of the risks involved in drug trafficking -- arrest and incarceration, if rival dealers don't kill you first -- the small amount of powder draws an estimated $16,000 on the street, according to police. Police also found $58,000 cash.
"The drugs, the cash and the weapons are indicative of what our officers are encountering on a regular basis, during their covert investigations. This demonstrates the profit potential of unlawful narcotics dealing, as well as the fact that illegal weapons are being used in the drug trade," chief prohibition detective Dennis J. Richards told WIVB.
David Borden, executive director of StoptheDrugWar.org, told the Drug War Chronicle [4] newsletter it would be unfair to blame Richards for his bureau's failure to reduce drug availability in Buffalo. "Cocaine is in Buffalo because there are users of it in Buffalo," said Borden. "For whatever reasons they're willing to pay a lot of money for it. Someone is going to supply it, given that kind of incentive."
Borden doesn't blame Richards for the illegal weapons either. "Guns have been part of the illegal drug trade since before Al Capone -- in that case the drug was alcohol -- bootleggers carry them to protect themselves from other bootleggers, that's just part of prohibition. Of course Buffalo's drug trade involves weapons. It will until legalization is enacted."
The investigation was a result of citizen complaints, leading up to the execution of a search warrant signed by City Court Judge Debra Givens, according to WIVB.
"Our department continues to obtain very valuable information through our confidential TIPCALL number, the Mayor's resolution 311 phone center, council member complaints, block clubs and information from neighbors," Richards told WIVB. Richards did not comment on whether the information had actually led to reduced drug availability in Buffalo, or whether it was only valuable for keeping Buffalo's prohibition enforcers employed.