Major marijuana ring busted
By: Meghan Backus
Updated: October 12, 2007
In a combined effort, local, state and federal investigators have broken up a drug operation that is believed to have brought drugs into Wayne, Monroe and Ontario counties.
A drug bust two months ago led police to more arrests. Police say they believe the 10 people arrested in the prior raid were lower on the chain of command in the drug ring. They were charged by New York State. But the people charged Wednesday will face federal charges.
“This is absolutely the largest police operation that's ever occurred in Wayne County,” said Chief Richard Bogan of the Newark police department.
What began as a local drug investigation about a year ago became a bust that could have effects all over the United States and into Canada.
“Instead of dealing with the drug dealers with the bread crumbs on our street corners, we partnered with these other agencies, and we went after the whole bread truck,” Bogan said.
More than 200 officers from local police departments arrested 15 people suspected of being a part of a major marijuana ring.
“ We seized a total of approximately 600-thousand dollars in cash and well over a hundred pounds of marijuana ready for sale,” Bogan said.
Investigators say a million dollars worth of marijuana was being smuggled across the U.S.-Canadian border each month. They say it was brought into New York State at the Akwesasne Reservation near Massena. From there, it’s believed the drugs were distributed south into Monroe, Wayne and Ontario counties.
Police say it is Jamahl Leonard of Marsh Road in Pittsford was the alleged ring leader. And with the help of some confidential informants, investigators were also able to track down members of the drug operation in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Indiana.
“It clearly sends a message to the criminals that we will not stop at our political boundaries,” said Ontario Sheriff Philip Povero. “We will cooperate and we will work together.”
Because of the combined effort, police were also able to get 26 guns off the streets, five of which were assault rifles.
