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For Immediate Release
October 07, 2003

Buffalo, NY

TASK FORCES UNITE IN DRUG TRAFFICKING INVESTIGATION

Today, Special Agent in Charge Peter J. Ahearn, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announces that FBI Buffalo, along with the assistance of approximately 50 agencies to include members of the Career Criminal Task Force (CCTF) and the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), executed 20 federal arrest warrants, 14 federal search warrants, 4 consent searches, and made 1 local arrest.

This investigation focused on the drug trafficking activities of AMEEN DHALI, BASHEER SALEH, SADEK SHARIAN, and their associates. Their organization was involved in a large scale hydroponic marijuana smuggling operation across the Canadian/United States border, and crack cocaine and cocaine distribution activity in the Western New York area. The investigation involved the use of court-ordered wire interceptions, undercover drug purchases, and traditional police investigative techniques.

The following individuals were arrested today on federal charges of knowingly, willfully and unlawfully conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine and marijuana, and did knowingly, intentionally, and unlawfully use a communication facility to commit a drug felony all in violation of Title 21 United States Code Sections 841, 843(b) and 846:

1. AMEEN DHALI
DOB: 10/08/1971
Address: Richmond Avenue, Buffalo, New York

2. SIOBHAN TAYLOR
DOB: 08/17/1978
Address: Richmond Avenue, Buffalo, New York

3. ABDUL ALMONTASER
DOB: 09/25/1975
Address: Pulaski Street, Lackawanna, New York

4. ANTHONY DIAZ
DOB: 02/16/1960
Address: Bailey Avenue, Buffalo, New York

5. RAJEH ALMONTASER
DOB: 04/27/1979
Address: Ingham Avenue, Lackawanna, New York

6. MOGEEB NAGI
DOB: 10/06/1978
Address: Olcott Street, Lackawanna, New York

7. ROBIN JONES
DOB: 12/04/1972
Address: Breckenridge Avenue, Buffalo, New York

8. STEVEN JACKSON
DOB: 11/01/1973
Address: Good Street, Buffalo, New York

9. DEREK MCQUILLER
DOB: 09/09/1973
Address: Sterling Avenue, Buffalo, New York

10. SAMEER TAHER
DOB: 03/05/1971
Address: Pineview, Hamburg, New York

11. SADEK SHARIAN
DOB: 03/12/1975
Address: Holland Avenue, Lackawanna, New York

12. BASHEER SALEH
DOB: 06/07/1984
Address: Holland Avenue, Lackawanna, New York

13. MOHAMMED ABDO
DOB: 12/24/1974
Address: Grape Street, Lackawanna, New York

14. RAMON ACEVEDO
DOB: 05/26/1981
Address: Hopkins Street, Buffalo, New York

15. FRANK MASELLA
DOB: 03/22/1978
Address: Martin Road, Lackawanna, New York

16. ATANAS CRNGAROV
DOB: 11/29/1978
Address: Northridge Drive, West Seneca, New York

17. KRISTOPHER FOOSE
DOB: 04/14/1983
Address: Heatherwood, Hamburg, New York

18. ERIC GAYDEK
DOB: 06/19/1984
Address: Boston State Road, Hamburg, New York

19. NAGI ALSARI aka ALASARI
DOB: 01/10/1980
Address: Wilkesbarre Avenue, Lackawanna, New York

20. REY HERNANDEZ
DOB: 07/07/1977
Address: Columbus Parkway, Buffalo, New York

The individuals arrested today will be arraigned before Federal Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr.

Similar charges will be lodged against the following individual who is already in custody in Lorain County, Ohio:

1. SHAWTORRIAN TRAVIS
DOB: 08/12/1979

The following individual was arrested on local charges:

1. WILLIAM JEFFERSON
DOB: 01/03/1970
Address: Center Street, Lackawanna, New York

Federal search warrants were executed today at the following locations:
1. 661 Richmond Avenue (Lower), Buffalo, New York
2. 13 Pulaski Street, Lackawanna, New York
3. 2756 Bailey Avenue, Buffalo, New York
4. 179 Ingham Avenue (Upper), Lackawanna, New York
5. 148 Olcott Street, Lackawanna, New York
6. 56 Sterling (Upper), Buffalo, New York
7. 4740 Pineview, Hamburg, New York
8. 98 Holland Avenue, Lackawanna, New York
9. 142 Holland Avenue, Lackawanna, New York
10. 27 Grape Street (Lower), Lackawanna, New York
11. 349 Martin Road, Lackawanna, New York
12. 152 Northridge Drive, West Seneca, New York
13. 110 Wilkesbarre Avenue, Lackawanna, New York
14. 674 Hopkins Street, Buffalo, New York

Marijuana, cocaine, cash, drug paraphernalia, and one handgun are among the items seized today.
This case will be prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of New York. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
FBI Buffalo would like to thank the following agencies which provided K-9 Units to assist in the execution of today's search warrants:

1. Amherst, New York, Police Department
2. Cheektowaga, New York, Police Department
3. Niagara Falls, New York, Police Department
4. Ithaca, New York, Police Department
5. Tompkins County, New York, Police Department
6. Cattaraugus County, New York, Sheriff's Office
7. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement
8. Linsey Police Service, Canada
9. Saugeen Shores Police Service, Canada
10. Niagara County, New York, Sheriff's Office
11. Alcohol, Tobacco, & Firearms
12. Orchard Park, New York, Police Department
13. North Tonawanda, New York, Police Department
14. Erie County, New York, Sheriff's Office
15. Niagara Regional Police Service
16. West Seneca, New York, Police Department
17. Peterboro Community Police Service, Canada
18. New York State Police
19. Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority
20. Orleans County, New York, Sheriff's Office

The Albany, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh FBI Field Divisions also assisted with today's arrests and searches by providing their SWAT and/or Evidence Response Teams (ERT). The Hamburg, New York, Police Department also assisted with today's operations.
This investigation continues.

The Career Criminal Task Force is comprised of the following agencies:

  • Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Administration (ATF)
  • Army National Guard (ANG)
  • Buffalo, New York, Municipal Housing Authority (BMHA)
  • Cheektowaga, New York, Police Department (CPD)
  • Department of Homeland Security, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
  • Erie County, New York, Sheriff's Office (ECSO)
  • New York State Parole (NYP)
  • Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA)

The Western New York Joint Terrorism Task Force is comprised of the following agencies:

  • Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
  • Amherst, New York, Police Department
  • Brighton, New York, Police Department
  • Buffalo, New York, Police Department
  • Central Intelligence Agency
  • Department of Homeland Security, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
  • Drug Enforcement Administration
  • Erie County, New York, Sheriff's Office
  • Federal Air Marshal's Service (TSA)
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • Federal Protective Service
  • Food & Drug Administration
  • Greece, New York, Police Department
  • Internal Revenue Service
  • Lackawanna, New York, Police Department
  • Monroe County, New York, Sheriff's Office
  • New York State Attorney General's Office
  • New York State Police
  • Niagara County, New York, Sheriff's Office
  • Niagara Falls, New York, Police Department
  • Rochester, New York, Police Department
  • Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration
  • United States Attorney's Office, Western District of New York
  • United States Border Patrol
  • United States Coast Guard Investigative Service
  • United States Secret Service

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