Jamestown man going to prison for selling heroin
BUFFALO, N.Y. – United States Attorney James Kennedy, Jr., and DEA New York Division Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan announced today that Alex Mercado, 40, of Jamestown, New York, who was convicted of conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Higgins, who is handling the case, stated that beginning in early 2016, the defendant served as one of the primary mid-level distributors of heroin and cocaine for the Sigfredo Martinez drug organization. Mercado admitted that he was responsible for the “night shift” transactions, and stated that his co-defendant, Bryan Ferrer-Vazquez, distributed during the “day shift.” The defendant admitted that he received a couple hundred bundles of heroin from Martinez every few days and was tasked with distributing it to smaller dealers and users. Mercado said he would then turn over the proceeds to Martinez and take payment for his role in the distribution. The defendant also directed co-defendant Ferrer-Vazquez to distribute heroin to specific customers and would collect the proceeds earned by Ferrer-Vazquez on behalf of Martinez. During this period of time, Mercado occasionally worked with other uncharged co-conspirators to process bulk quantities of heroin and repackage it for retail sale.
Between Nov. 3, 2016, and March 2, 2017, the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted four controlled purchases of heroin with the defendant. On April 6, 2017, federal search warrants were executed at 385 Buffalo Street, the residence of Bryan Ferrer-Vazquez, and 32 Duquesne Street, the residence of Sigfredo Martinez. At each location, law enforcement officers seized numerous ledgers and paper records of drug transactions. A federal search warrant was also executed at Mercado’s residence at 1083 North Main Street in Jamestown where approximately 10 ounces of marijuana and several suboxone strips were recovered.
Bryan Ferrer-Vazquez was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing. Charges remain pending against Sigfredo Martinez. 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.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the DEA New York Division Buffalo Resident Office, the Jamestown Police Department and the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force.
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