Police find heroin, $368,000 in home

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - When a home on Garner and Herkimer was raided on Tuesday, police say they found $368,000, three loaded handguns, and 200 grams of heroin.

The FBI's Safe Streets Task Force arrested 51-year-old George Torres. He faces federal gun and drug possession charges.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Piehota said, "The cash, drugs and weapons recovered makes Buffalo a little bit safer, and sends a message to other persons."

U.S. Attorney William Hochul added, "I think if anybody's even thinking of selling drugs on the west side or anywhere in western new York, they need to take a good look at what the precise charges are against Mr. Torres. Mr. Torres cannot get out of jail any sooner than ten years."

Torres has previous arrests and many of his neighbors were not surprised by the bust.

Buffalo Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda said, "We believe he's been dealing for many years primarily on Buffalo's west side. What is unusual is recovering that amount of cash in one search warrant, again $368,000 once it's forfeited will be returned to the local departments to use for things like gun buybacks and other things we need extra money for."

The street value of the heroin found amounts to nearly $20,000.

"Basically, there's been an epidemic of heroin and a lot of it's going out into the suburbs and what we have...they start with prescription drugs that are left in the medicine cabinet. They're getting a hold of oxycontin, different pills, and when the teenagers get hooked on it, they're switching to a cheaper alternative, which is heroin," Derenda said.