Ronnie Ortiz, Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy, New York 2024

Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty to Cocaine Charge

A Buffalo man has admitted to being involved in a cocaine trafficking scheme after pleading guilty to a federal charge, according to U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr.

Ronnie Ortiz, 40, of Buffalo, N.Y., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. If convicted, Ortiz could face a maximum penalty of 20 years and a $1,000,000.00 fine.

The investigation, led by the United States Postal Inspection Service under the direction of Inspector in Charge Shelly Binkowski, and the Drug Enforcement Administration under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division, revealed that Ortiz was involved in a scheme to distribute cocaine through the U.S. mail.

On July 18, 2016, the United States Postal Inspection Service obtained a federal search warrant for a postal parcel that was addressed to 14 Warren Ave in Buffalo and was mailed from Canovanas, Puerto Rico. The search revealed that the parcel contained approximately nine ounces of cocaine.

On July 20, 2016, an undercover U.S. Postal Inspector, acting as a U.S. Postal Service Mail Carrier, delivered the parcel, which had been replaced with sham and an electronic transmitter that would alert agents to the opening of the parcel. Ortiz signed for the parcel and took it into the residence. Minutes later, the electronic transmitter indicated the parcel had been opened, and agents went into the residence and arrested Ortiz.

Ortiz’s plea is the culmination of an investigation that spanned several months. Sentencing is scheduled for January 10, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Vilardo.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Astorga is handling the case. Contact Barbara Burns at (716) 843-5817 for more information.

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