United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration New York Division Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan and U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Verquan Jackson, 32, of Niagara Falls, New York, with attempted possession with intent to distribute MDMA, maintaining a drug-involved premises, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking offenses. The charges carry up to 45 years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles E. Watkins, Jr., who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed 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 replaced with sham and 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 indictment is the culmination of an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service; 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.