A trial has concluded for two defendants involved in what's thought to be one of the largest drug rings in Buffalo, New York's history, in which the prosecution has linked the case to Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. Back in 2017, 16 people were charged with smuggling approximately $19 million worth of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl into Western New York, all under the guise of "sea cucumbers."
The drug trafficking organization has supposed ties to the Sinaloa Cartel, said to be the most active drug cartel in the United States, once led by the infamous El Chapo. Two men have now been found guilty of narcotics conspiracy, as thirteen others await sentencing for their own convictions.
According to the U.S. attorneys handling the case, of the two men most recently convicted, Herman E. Aguirre was thought to be the ringleader of the criminal enterprise, as Troy Gillon helped source drugs from various locations including Mexico, Arizona, and California.
During the trial, prosecutors revealed that the large-scale drug trafficking came to their attention due to unusual amounts of "sea cucumbers" being shipped from California to Buffalo, a location that has no connection to the marine life that is treated as a delicacy in other parts of the world. By using front companies the organization made upwards of $19 million during a two-year stretch that ended in 2015, while during the course of the investigation law enforcement seized over $5 million worth of illegal narcotics.
For their roles in the operation, Aguirre and Gillon face a maximum of life in prison.
Source: wivb.com
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