BUFFALO, NY – Tremaine Jacobs, a 49-year-old resident of Buffalo, New York, admitted in federal court today to attempting to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. The plea comes after a 2020 investigation that uncovered a significant drug operation linked to Jacobs, potentially landing him behind bars for two decades.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, the feds got a tip in May 2020 about a package headed to Jacobs containing approximately $7,000 worth of cocaine. The Drug Enforcement Administration intercepted the package addressed to 542 Goodyear Avenue, a known address associated with the defendant. Inside, investigators found 248 grams of the illicit substance.
The investigation didn’t stop there. Roughly two weeks later, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, alongside the Buffalo Police Department Intelligence Unit, raided Jacobs’ residence at 533 Goodyear Avenue. While the primary target was cocaine distribution, the search yielded more than just drugs. Investigators seized approximately 16 ounces of suspected marijuana, a hefty $10,507 in U.S. currency, and various pieces of jewelry.
Jacobs, also known as “Teeter” and “T” on the streets, now faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. The investigation was a joint effort between the DEA, ATF, and the Buffalo Police Department, highlighting the agencies’ collaborative approach to tackling drug trafficking in Western New York.
Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III of the DEA’s New York Field Division and Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito of the ATF’s New York Field Division spearheaded the federal probe, with support from Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia. This wasn’t just a street-level bust; it suggests a larger operation that authorities were determined to dismantle.
The sentencing hearing is currently scheduled for August 9, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. At that time, Judge Vilardo will determine the extent of Jacobs’ punishment, taking into account the severity of the crime and any mitigating factors presented by the defense. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing.
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