BUFFALO — Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia reports the arrest of Rafael Rivera, 45, of Buffalo after a month-long investigation by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics and Intelligence Unit into illegal drug sales on Buffalo’s West Side.
On Oct. 6, Narcotics and Intelligence personnel were conducting surveillance of Rivera and his vehicle in the City of Buffalo.
Deputies observed Rivera enter a residence on Clinton Street and soon after exit carrying a white plastic bag.
Rivera then traveled to the vicinity of Niagara Street, where he entered two convenience stores and exited with various items.
After departing, Rivera was operating his vehicle in the vicinity of East Street and Garfield Street where he was observed violating multiple New York State Vehicle and Traffic Laws.
Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle.
After initially attempting to pull away from deputies, Rivera stopped a short distance away.
Deputies obtained search warrants signed by Supreme Court Judge Debra Givens for Rivera’s person, his vehicle, his residence at 102 Hertel Avenue and a Clinton Street address.
In Rivera’s vehicle, deputies recovered a kilogram of cocaine and recently purchased cutting agents and packaging material.
In the Hertel Avenue residence, law enforcement personnel recovered quantities of cocaine, fentanyl and additional drug paraphernalia.
Rivera was charged with first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (four counts), second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia (six counts) and multiple New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law infractions.
Rivera was transported to the Erie County Holding Center.
