By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Local, state and federal law enforcement conducted massive drug raids on the city's East Side Tuesday. They nabbed the ring leader of what is considered an "international drug operation". And a Buffalo police officer was among the suspects arrested.
The major drug raids involved 400 law enforcement officers and 25 SWAT teams. They arrested 30 suspects in what has been dubbed "Operation Nine Lives" -- an investigation began in March of 2003. It was named after one of the suspects who has survived nine separate shootings. Buffalo police Commissioner Rocco Diina says the drug trade stretched from New York City to Los Angeles.
"It involved an individual, Richard Mullen, who was the king pin," Diina said. "He is a 30-year-old Buffalonian who also has residences in New York, Atlanta and other places."
A Buffalo police officer was among those arrested. Ronnie Funderburk, 39, was charged with using a phone with the intent to commit a drug felony.
The head of the DEA for Upstate New York, John Bryfonski, says Buffalo has become a "hub" for drug activity because it is the largest upstate city.
"No city in upstate New York is immune from substance abuse problems," Bryfonski said. "Buffalo's drug situation is equivalent to its population. We hope it could be better, but we believe this drug bust will significantly improve it."
Buffalo police say drugs are the number one problem on City streets and by dismantling the enterprise, it should help ease some of the crime troubles. Mayor Masiello says the citizens of Buffalo will benefit from this drug crack down.
"We now have neighbors and neighborhoods that are going to feel better, and sleep better, knowing that bad people, the drug dealers owning guns, are off their streets," Diina said.
More arrests are expected in this on-going investigation. Authorities seized cocaine, cash and what they consider a "significant" amount of guns.