CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jose A Solis-Pizzaro, 43, and Mirelys Camacho Betancourt, 27, both of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to attempt to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright, who is handling the case, stated that on February 1, 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant on a parcel addressed to “Axel Rodriguez 430 Parker Ave. Buffalo, NY 14216.” Investigators recovered approximately 1024 grams of cocaine. A few days later, on February 3, 2021, the contents of the parcel were replaced with sham and delivered to 403 Parker Avenue by an undercover law enforcement officer. While standing in front of the residence, Solis-Pizzaro approached the officer and stated that the subject parcel belonged to him, and that he lived at the residence. Shortly after receiving the parcel, Solis-Pizzaro got into a black BMW vehicle. He was then arrested, and the subject parcel was recovered in the vehicle.
Later that day, Camacho Betancourt arrived in the vicinity where the package was delivered, was questioned by law enforcement about her connection to the residence and taken into custody. Camacho Betancourt admitted that she was paid to locate addresses in Buffalo, NY, where parcels containing drugs could be delivered.
The pleas are the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Boston Division, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia.
Camacho Betancourt is scheduled to be sentenced on May 31, 2023, and Solis-Pizzaro on June 1, 2023, both before Judge Vilardo.
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