Feds: Drug ring worked in shifts, 24/7

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Federal agents rounded up nine suspects Thursday, breaking up a suspected drug ring in Buffalo.

The suspects are accused of selling narcotics on a daily basis, working in shifts and threatening other drug traffickers. Authorities say sales were conducted from within multiple properties controlled by the suspected drug organization.

58-year-old Theresa Anderson of Buffalo, along with family members and close friends, are accused of trafficking significant amounts of crack cocaine on Buffalo's east side.

>> See all nine suspects arrested in our photo gallery here

Dale Kasprzyk of the Drug Enforcement Administration said, "They ran several houses. They had several people that work in those houses. They operated on a day-to-day basis."

Authorities say the drug operation had been active for 12 years, going 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This suspected criminal enterprise is accused of acquiring multiple properties on Buffalo's east side in an effort to gain a monopoly on crack cocaine sales in the area.

A federal grand jury indictment alleges that lookouts were used and that properties were strategically located on Swinburne and Deshler Streets.

>> You can read the full indictment against Theresa Anderson here

U.S. Attorney William Hochul said, "Nine on these two streets alone. All contributed to the ability of this organization to work that long."

"One day they may be selling drugs at one house. The next day they'll move to a different house to sell drugs," explained Kasprzyk.

Authorities say Anderson, identified in court papers as the leader, along with the others, controlled narcotics trafficking in the east side neighborhood.

"The familial relationships. The control of two blocks. All designed in the defendants mind to thwart law enforcement," Hochul said.

Rhe government alleges that Anderson obtained and supplied quanities of cocaine to other members, who then sold the cocaine on the streets.

Buffalo Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda said, "70 percent, 90 percent of crime, overall crime, ties back to narcotics or alcohol. So we know what an effect it has on a community."

The charges involved in Thursday's crackdown carry a minimum of 10 years in prison to a maximum life sentence if convicted. All nine suspects were arraigned in federal court.

In addition to Anderson, the following people were arrested and arraigned on Thursday: Steven Butler, 28; Dion Anderson, 31; Melvin Calhoun, 47; Anquensha Hodge, a/k/a Anne Anderson, 25; Wymiko Anderson, a/k/a Red, 37; Toshia Hodge, a/k/a Toshia Anderson, 28; Tajia Anderson, a/k/a Porkchop, 26; and Leo Mellerson 29; all of Buffalo.

Properties owned by Theresa Anderson:
31 Deshler Street, Buffalo
74 Deshler Street, Buffalo
5 Swinburne Street, Buffalo
11 Swinburne Street, Buffalo
19 Swinburne Street, Buffalo
6 Brownell Street, Buffalo

Properties owned by Dion Anderson, Theresa's son:
43 Deshler Street, Buffalo
54 Deshler Street, Buffalo
214 Hutchinson Street, Buffalo

Properties owned by other relatives/associates of Theresa Anderson (not charged):
58 Davidson Avenue, Buffalo (titled to Tunisha Anderson)
31 Deshler Street, Buffalo (titled to Annie Mae Anderson)
32 Deshler Street, Buffalo (titled to Annie Maie Anderson)
41 Deshler Street, Buffalo (titled to Darryl Torgalski)
26 Empire Street, Buffalo (titled to Annie Mae Anderson)
39 Empire Street, Buffalo (titled to Annie Mae Anderson)
19 East Woodlawn Avenue, Buffalo (titled to Tawandra Anderson)