Leader Of Rochester Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Going To Prison For 10 Years

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Jose Casado, 32, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine, was sentenced to serve 121 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. McGrath, who handled the case, stated that the defendant was the leader of a Rochester-based drug trafficking conspiracy. Between December 2017 and May 15, 2019, Casado conspired with multiple co-defendants to sell fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine out of drug houses located on Clifford Avenue and Treyer Street in Rochester. The defendant obtained bulk quantities of the drugs from various suppliers, which he and other members of the conspiracy would then repackage for individual sale. During the course of the conspiracy, the Drug Enforcement Administration made 13 controlled purchases from the defendant or a co-defendant.

On March 14, 2019, a search warrant was executed at 467 Clifford Avenue. Investigators recovered 19 bags of fentanyl, nine bags of powder cocaine, nine bags of crack cocaine, materials used to package controlled substances for distribution, 1,800 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition, and 50 shotgun shells. On May 15, 2019, a second search warrant was executed at 467 Clifford Avenue. During that search, investigators recovered a .22 caliber pistol. Also on May 15, 2019, a search warrant was executed at 125 William Warfield Drive in Rochester, and investigators found and seized $3,970.00 in cash hidden in a heating duct.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division, and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief La’Ron Singletary.