Darren Smith, Cocaine Trafficking, New York 2016

A devastating blow to the streets of Rochester, New York, has been dealt with the guilty plea of Darren Smith, a 45-year-old resident of the city. Smith, along with co-defendant Jose Quintana, 28, of Rochester, has admitted to participating in an ongoing cocaine trafficking conspiracy in the City of Rochester from 2015 through April 26, 2016.

According to the plea agreements, Smith and Quintana directly distributed cocaine to others, with Smith storing quantities of cocaine and cash drug proceeds at his residence. A search warrant executed at Smith's residence on April 27, 2016, revealed over 100 grams of cocaine base, more than 150 grams of cocaine, $10,178 in cash, and a loaded .45 caliber firearm.

Smith admitted to possessing the firearm in connection with his drug trafficking activities. This will be Smith's third felony drug conviction. Sentencing for Smith is scheduled for October 13, 2016, at 11:00 AM before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.

Quintana, on the other hand, admitted to directly distributing cocaine to others and possessing a 12-gauge shotgun recovered from his residence for protection in connection with his drug dealing activities. Sentencing for Quintana is scheduled for October 14, 2016, at 10:15 AM before Judge Siragusa.

The investigation into the cocaine trafficking ring was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division, the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Ciminelli, the Greater Rochester Area Narcotic Enforcement Team, under the direction of Lt. Dave Gebhardt, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Shelly Binkowski, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Shantelle P. Kitchen, Special Agent in Charge.

The guilty plea is a significant victory for law enforcement in their efforts to combat the scourge of cocaine trafficking in the City of Rochester. It is a testament to the tireless work of the investigators and prosecutors involved in the case.

The minimum penalty for Smith's conspiracy charge carries a minimum penalty of 20 years and a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $20,000,000 fine, while Quintana's conspiracy charge carries a minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum penalty of 40 years and a $5,000,000 fine.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/two-defendants-admit-guilt-major-cocaine-trafficking-ring-rochester