Two people arrested, charged with fentanyl possession

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Edwin Santana-Cosme, 56, and Arieana Garcia Del Gado, 37, both of Buffalo, NY, were arrested and charged in by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Louis A. Testani, who is handling the case, stated that according to the criminal complaint, on August 17, 2024, the New York State Police conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle being driven by defendant Santana Cosme, with defendant  Del Gado in the passenger seat. Santana Cosme hesitated to pull over, while Del Gado appeared to turn around to move an unknown object behind the driver’s seat.  After eventually stopping, the defendants provided conflicting stories regarding their travel. A K9 dog was brought in and alerted to the presence of narcotics in two boxes located behind the driver seat. The boxes were searched and found to contain two vacuum-sealed packages of suspected fentanyl. Both Santana Cosme and Del Gado were arrested and taken into custody.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarentino, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Stanley Edwards, III.

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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