Jay Neal, Heroin Trafficking, New York 2015

Buffalo Man Sentenced for Heroin Trafficking
BUFFALO, N.Y. – A Buffalo man was sentenced to serve 17 years in prison for heroin trafficking and gun charges.
Jay Neal, 40, of Buffalo, NY, was convicted of eight counts including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more heroin, possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin, maintaining a drug involved premises, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking activity, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a defaced firearm, was sentenced to serve 210 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, on October 20, 2015, Neal sold a quantity of heroin to an individual working with the Drug Enforcement Administration. The following day, on October 21, 2015, Neal once again agreed to sell a quantity of heroin. Neal drove to a residence at 87 Mariner Street in Buffalo. About an hour later, Neal and co-defendant Quashawn Lawrence were arrested by police. At the time of his arrest, Neal was armed with a 9mm handgun and had $10,000 in cash. A search warrant executed inside 87 Mariner recovered two guns, ammunition, 10 grams of heroin inside a dresser drawer, and multiple scales.
Neal was previously convicted in state court of Attempted Murder and Robbery in the 1st Degree in 1997. As a result of those convictions, Neal was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division, and the Erie County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Howard.
Contact: Barbara Burns at 716-843-5817 for more information.
This case is a prime example of the severity of heroin trafficking in our city and the consequences that come with it.
Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and bring you updates as more information becomes available.
In related news, the DEA is cracking down on heroin trafficking in the area.
Residents are advised to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
The war on heroin trafficking is far from over, and we will continue to report on it until justice is served.