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 Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Division, announced that Andrew Medina, 31, of Niagara Falls, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, and a maximum of life in prison, and a $10,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan E. Leydecker, who is handling the case, stated that on August 31, 2020, law enforcement officers intercepted a package from California, which contained approximately 837 grams of pure methamphetamine. On September 4, 2020, DEA agents conducted a controlled delivery of the parcel, which had been replaced with sham and a transmitter installed, at Medina’s residence on South Avenue in Niagara Falls. Approximately an hour later, the transmitter alerted agents that the parcel had been opened. As agents approached the home, they observed Medina standing on the second-floor balcony throwing the sham and parcel into an adjacent yard. Medina was then taken into custody. During the execution of a search warrant at the residence, agents recovered the parcel, the sham placed inside the package, approximately $15,200 in U.S. currency, approximately 74 grams of marijuana, a digital scale, and a black iPhone. In addition, a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun and a .40 caliber magazine loaded with five rounds. Medina was previously convicted three times in 2011 and 2012, on drug charges in California and is legally prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the DEA’s Buffalo District Office, New York Division.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 13, 2022, before Judge Vilardo.