Buffalo couple charged with selling heroin linked to overdose
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr., and DEA New York Division Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan announced today that Orlando Albert-Arroyo, 24, and Genesis Tolentino-Cruz, 25, both of Buffalo, N.Y., were arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the prosecution of the case, stated that according to the complaint, in February 2019, Buffalo Police investigators began investigating the drug trafficking activities of the defendants. The investigation was initiated following a possible drug overdose death.
In the early morning hours of Feb. 27, 2019, first responders from the Buffalo Police Department, Buffalo Fire Department and AMR Ambulance were dispatched to the scene of a possible drug overdose. Upon arrival, they discovered an unresponsive 24-year-old male. Medical personnel attempted resuscitation efforts but the victim was declared deceased. At the scene, investigators recovered four green wax envelopes commonly used to package heroin and a plastic straw with white powder residue.
Subsequent investigation determined that the victim's girlfriend was in contact with a phone number tied to the defendant’s on the day of the victim’s death. In addition, between March 30 and April 11, 2019, Albert Arroyo and Tolentino-Cruz sold suspected heroin to an individual working with investigators on four separate occasions.
A search warrant was executed at the defendants’ residence and two AR-style firearms and a quantity of suspected heroin were recovered.
AlbertArroyo and Tolentino-Cruz appeared at a detention hearing before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo and were released on conditions.
The complaint is the culmination of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, and the DEA Buffalo Resident Office, New York Division.
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.
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