-from wivb.com-

By Alysha Palumbo

(Buffalo, NY, February 20, 2008) - - Local law enforcement agencies made dozens of arrests during raids this morning. Its a story you saw first on four. News 4’s Alysha Palumbo is at Buggalo Police HQ

About 50 arrests were made today in South Buffalo yanking dozens of suspected drug dealers off the streets. Buffalo Police and the local drug enforcement administration teamed up to raid several homes today. This is exclusive video of one of the raids on Pomona Place. Two men were arrested there, Paul Barrett and Sergio Santiago. This home on Milton Street was also raided, leading to the arrest of Matthew McCooey. The DEA arrested nine people on federal drug charges, while we’re told Buffalo Police arrested about 40 more people. This wraps up a three day joint investigation.

Nancy Cote, DEA Resident Agent in Charge, “The DEA here in Buffalo and the Buffalo Police Department ran basically two independent investigations but they were collateral in the fact that the intelligence was exchanged between our two agencies. It’s called a war on drugs, they call it little different battles, but we never give up and we’re successful.”

Buffalo Police will be holding a press conference at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, to elaborate on their involvement in these raids.