United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BUFFALO, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan, New York Division announced that Verquan Jackson, 32, of Niagara Falls, New York was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possessing with intent to distribute MDMA, a/k/a Ecstasy, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and maintaining a premises for drug use and distribution. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles E. Watkins, Jr., who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on February 13, 2020, the United States Postal Inspection Service was notified about a box that was shipped from California to Niagara Falls breaking open during transit. Inside the box, which was addressed to Jackson at his 65th Street residence, were approximately 41 lbs. of 2 oz. individual narcotics distribution baggies.

Subsequently, on April 8 and May 19, 2020, search warrants were executed on packages addressed to the defendant’s residence but in the names of B. Jackson and Jane Brown. One package contained approximately 695 grams of suspected marijuana and paraphernalia. The other package contained approximately 652 grams of multicolored pills containing MDMA and fentanyl.

On May 21, 2020, the package containing the MDMA was delivered to Jackson’s residence. A short time later, investigators executed a search warrant inside the residence. They recovered a 9mm firearm; five digital scales; a box of plastic sandwich baggies; clear plastic bags containing a tan powdery substance; designer drug packaging bags; and multiple clear plastic bags containing suspected marijuana.

Jackson made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder and was released on conditions.

The criminal complaint is the culmination of an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; the DEA Buffalo Resident Office; and the Niagara Falls Police Department.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.