BUFFALO, N.Y. – Lay Wah, a 24-year-old Burmese citizen living in Buffalo, New York, has been locked up for 10 years after being convicted of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara handed down the sentence, which is the maximum allowed under the law, following a guilty verdict. This is a major blow to the streets of Buffalo, where fentanyl and gun violence have been rampant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan E. Leydecker, who handled the case, explained how the investigation unfolded. On March 13, 2023, the ATF and Buffalo Police executed a search warrant at Wah’s Newfield Street residence. As SWAT officers made entry into the apartment, they also formed a perimeter around the exterior of the residence.
Simultaneous with Wah fleeing into the rear of the apartment, an officer outside observed an object being thrown out of a rear bedroom window. Investigators recovered a semi-automatic handgun from the rear yard next door. Attached to the handgun was an extended magazine loaded with 31 rounds of ammunition and a machinegun conversion device.
Inside the apartment, investigators recovered approximately 888 blue pills, three cellular telephones, ammunition, narcotics packaging materials and $4,540 in cash. This is a staggering amount of evidence, and it’s clear that Wah was involved in some serious operations.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia. This is a huge win for the community, and a reminder that we will not tolerate crime in our streets.
Lay Wah will serve 120 months in prison for his crimes. This sentence sends a clear message that those who deal in fentanyl and guns will face the full weight of the law.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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