N.Y. Police Shut Down Cocaine Operation
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. -- A series of pre-dawn raids by Falls police and agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has put three of four Niagara Falls siblings behind bars and shut down a large crack and powdered cocaine sales and distribution ring.
Just after 5 a.m. Tuesday, city narcotics detectives and federal agents, along with the Falls Police Emergency Response Team, executed four arrest warrants and two search warrants in coordinated raids that targeted the "Knighton Brothers."
"What we're looking at here is the culmination of a six-month investigation into the Knighton family drug trafficking (operation)," Falls Police Narcotics Division Capt. Morris Shamrock said. "They have a long history of drug dealing in Niagara Falls. They're old school, they've been around a long time."
Agents and officers took Randy Knighton, 49, Robert Knighton, 53 and Steven Knighton, 45, into custody during the raids. They are continuing to hunt for Raymond Knighton, 43, who has been in touch with authorities.
"We've had some conversations with Raymond," Shamrock said. "He was saying he was going to turn himself in, but he hasn't yet. So we are actively looking for him."
Randy, Robert and Steven have all been charged with various violations of federal drug distribution laws including possession of controlled substances with the intent to distribute and to distribute a controlled substance. Raymond faces similar charges.
The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1 million or both.
Investigators said the Knighton brothers are well known in criminal circles in the Cataract City. Raymond has been arrested 20 times, including six drug charges and two assault charges. His brother Randy has 19 arrests, including several drug offense and three assault charges.
Steven has been arrested twice on federal charges. Only Robert has a clean rap sheet.
Falls narcotics detectives said the charges against Raymond, Robert and Randy stem from at least 10 separate drug sales to confidential informants in the Falls. At the same time, federal agents said they intercepted two kilos of cocaine that were intended to be delivered to Steven and seized $41,000 from him.
"This was two separate investigations to begin with," Shamrock said. "The DEA had one in Buffalo involving Steven and we had one in the Falls (involving all the brothers), so we came together to do this."
Investigators said the Knighton's sold and distributed "significant amounts of both crack and powder(ed)" cocaine in the Falls.
"Each (brother) seemed to have their own customers," Shamrock said. "But they seemed to share in the purchasing (of the drugs)."
In additional to the arrest warrants, agents and detectives searched homes at 1701 LaSalle Ave. and 724 1/2 16th St. upper. They recovered an unloaded pistol grip shotgun and quantity of crack cocaine and marijuana at the 16th Street home.
Randy, Robert, and Steven Knighton all pleaded not guilty during arraignments in federal court late Tuesday afternoon. They were all held without bail pending further proceedings.
Copyright 2011 - Niagara Gazette, Niagara Falls, N.Y.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service