BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Law enforcement officials, including Erie County Sheriff John Garcia, FBI Buffalo representatives, DHS HSI representatives, Buffalo Police, and the Erie County District Attorney’s office spoke Thursday on recent arrests made related to drug trafficking and weapons charges.

A replay of the press conference can be seen above.

According to authorities, two individuals were arrested following a near three month investigation by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics and Intelligence Unit with assistance from the Buffalo Police Department, FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

According to Erie County Sheriff John Garcia, the investigation resulted in the seizure of 3.5 kilos of cocaine, 5 ounces of fentanyl, over $212,000 in cash, over $200,000 in property, and eight handguns.

The Erie County Sheriff announced Friday that, after a full accounting, the total U.S. currency recovered from the arrests is $415,821.

Sindey Mellerson, 33, of the Town of Tonawanda and Keshaun Atwood, 31, of Buffalo were arraigned on multiple felonies following the arrests.

On Feb. 8, investigators executed a search warrant on Mellerson who, allegedly, was the subject of a drug trafficking investigation.

Investigators say they followed Mellerson as he drove from his home in the Town of Tonawanda and initiated a traffic stop as he continued to drive onto the Kensington Expressway.

According to authorities, Mellerson was tased after he, allegedly, refused orders and fought with deputies while being placed under arrest. Authorities say he was, allegedly, found in possession of a quantity of crack cocaine which, they say, he attempted to conceal inside his underwear.

A search warrant was also executed at at location on the 200 block of Hastings Avenue where, they say, investigators located two loaded, illegal handguns, large quantities of suspected cocaine and suspected fentanyl. The two handguns had been reported stolen.

Mellerson was arraigned on the following charges:

• Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first degree, one count
• Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the second degree, two counts
• Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, two counts
• Criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, two counts
• Criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, two counts
• Tampering with physical evidence, one count
• Obstruction of governmental administration in the second degree, one count
• Resisting arrest, one count

Investigators also executed a search warrant at Mellerson’s Grandview Avenue residence where, they say, a loaded, illegal handgun was found, approximately $10,000 in cash and a receipt for a storage unit.

Mellerson is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 15 and was held without bail. If convicted of the highest charge, he faces a maximum of 30 years in prison.

On Feb. 8, investigators say they witnessed Atwood outside the Grandview Avenue residence as they conducted the search warrant of Mellerson’s home.

Investigators say, a short time later, they encountered Atwood allegedly attempting to dispose of evidence at a storage unit facility on Kenmore Avenue. Atwood is accused of refusing orders and resisting arrest. He was, allegedly, found to be in possession of approximately $200,000 in cash. Investigators say a handgun, found inside a plastic bag, was also recovered and submitted into evidence.

Atwood was arraigned on the following charges:

• Tampering with physical evidence, one count
• Criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, one count
• Obstruction of governmental administration in the second degree, one count
• Resisting arrest, one count

As part of this investigation, additional search warrants were executed at two locations on Millburn Street and Deshler Street where, allegedly, investigators found additional illegal handguns and a large quantity of suspected crack cocaine. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed.

Atwood is scheduled to return to court on March 6. He was released on his own recognizance as the charges are non-qualifying offenses for bail.

Mellerson was also arraigned in August 2022 on criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth and seventh degrees and criminal use of drug paraphernal in the second degree.

On Aug. 26, 2022, Buffalo police were investigating a report of “shots fired” on Schutrum Street where, they say, they found shell casings on the street and bullet holes outside a vacant residence.

During the investigation, police say they found 16 individuals, alleged drug users, inside the lower apartment of the residence. Police say they located Mellerson, who was hiding behind a locked door, in the upstairs apartment. Mellerson, allegedly, was found to be in possession of a narcotic, scales, a cutting agent, four cell phones, and approximately $2,300 in cash.

Mellerson was released on his own recognizance as the charges are non-qualifying for bail. He is scheduled to return to court for the August case on Feb. 14.