PRESS RELEASE
On September 11, 2019, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) arrested Elison Alturo Ledesma-Melo, 44, of Bronx, NY, for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd (A-II Felony), False Personation, Possession of a Skimmer Device 2nd and Vehicle and Traffic Offenses.
BCI also arrested Humberto Manrique Roche, 47, a Cuban Refugee legally residing in Buffalo, NY for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd (A-II Felony) and Possession of a Skimmer Device 2nd.
On September 11, 2019, Troopers out of SP Warsaw received information from Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team (VGNET) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on a vehicle in the area with possible narcotics.
Troopers identified the vehicle during patrol on State Hwy 20A. The vehicle was stopped for vehicle and traffic violations. Further investigation revealed the operator, Ledesma-Melo did not have documentation because he was later found out to be an illegal entrant. NYSP K-9 alerted on the vehicle. Ledesma-Melo consented to a vehicle search resulting in the seizure of approximately 124 grams of suspected heroin. Both Ledesma-Melo and his passenger, Roche were arrested and transported to SP Warsaw for processing without incident.
Both suspects were arraigned in the town of Warsaw Court and remanded to Wyoming County Jail on no bail.
VGNET, DEA, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Wyoming County District Attorney’s Office assisted in this investigation.