Joseph Zaso, Narcotics Trafficking, New York 2022

Related Federal Cases

Shannell Gosine Admits Coast-to-Coast Cocaine Trafficking, Buffalo … · New York
John Haak, Heroin Trafficking, Buffalo NY, 2024 · Maryland
Buffalo Woman Gets 4 Years in Opioid Trafficking · Texas
Dhamari Jordan, Cocaine and Firearms Trafficking, Malden MA, 2023 · Texas
Maximiliano Davila Perez, Facilitated Cocaine Trafficking, New York… · New York

Table of Contents

Buffalo Resident Charged in Narcotics Trafficking Ring

Joseph Zaso, a 39-year-old Buffalo resident, has been charged in a narcotics trafficking ring that operated in the Buffalo and Jamestown areas. Zaso, also known as Joey Cracks and Sosa, faces a mandatory life sentence for his alleged involvement in the operation.

According to the second superseding indictment, Zaso conspired with 31-year-old Kyle N. Lewis, of Jamestown, to sell heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine between September 2018 and May 26, 2022. The indictment alleges that Zaso used residences at 12 Locust Street and 110 Fairview Avenue in Jamestown, as well as 48 Laurel Street in Buffalo, to facilitate his drug trafficking activities.

Zaso is accused of selling heroin to an individual identified as B.K., causing serious bodily injury. He is also charged with brandishing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and document concealment, for allegedly lying on his monthly probation reports while under the supervision of U.S. Probation.

Lewis, the co-defendant, has been charged with narcotics conspiracy, which carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti is handling the case, which is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.

The investigation was conducted by the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson, the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division, and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James Quattrone.

Zaso and Lewis are currently detained, awaiting trial. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.